Page 28 (1/1)

Prudence declares that whenever a person is in that disagreeable situation which compels him to ask "what shall I do?" that the wisest answer is, "nothing" But such answer did not satisfy George Hyde He was too young, too sure of his own good fortune, too restless and iht have considered, that, hitherto, affairs had happened precisely as he wished theood policy to trust to his future opportunities But he was so much in earnest, so honestly in love, that he felt his doubts and anxieties could only be relieved by action Sympathy, at least, he ly talk of Cornelia The little jests and innuendoes sure to follow his confidence would be intolerable if associated with a creature so pure and so ingenuous

"I will go to ht And this resolution satisfied him so well, that he carried it out at once But it was after dark when he reached the tall stone portals of Hyde Manor House The ride, however, had given him back his best self For e leave society and coain; and the fictions of thought and action assuar river, and the budding trees, and the row old, were all but char accessories and horizons to his constant pictures of Cornelia It was she who gave life and beauty to all he saw; for as a rule, if h some paintedof their own souls Few indeed are those who hear-"The Ancient Word, That walked a the silent trees"

Yet Hyde was keenly conscious of some h which he passed--conscious still more of it when the sun had set and the moon rose--dim and inscrutable--over the lonely way, and filled the narrow glen which was at the entrance to the Manor House full of brooding power

The great building looht visible It was in his an to whistle She heard hiive hi of you!" she cried, as he leaped frolad are we! Coranted! Well, are you? Quite well? Now, then, I am happy Happy as can be! Look now, Richard!" she called, as she flung the door open, and entered with the handso youth at her side