A ROMANCE. By ***. "Fast, fast it fleeteth, even as a dream, human life away." IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. LONDON: T C. NEWBY, PUBLISHER, 72, MORTIMER STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE. 1844. LIFE. CHAPTER XIII. THE CORRESPONDence. "Why so pale and wan, fond lover, Will, if looking well can't win her, Looking ill prevail? Prythee why so pale ?" "Ein Mädchen und ein Gläschen Wein Kuriren alle Noth, Und wer nicht trinkt, und wer nicht kusst, WE bade adieu to Wriothesley, to college, and to college life. The ingenuous deportment and VOL. III. B almost parental kindness of Mr. Aitkins and Miss Netterville, could not be recollected without emotion. Nor did they part from us without a hope that we should soon resume our college duties, and, so far as Perkins was concerned, our visit. These duties however, were never resumed, nor was this visit ever paid. That warm-hearted woman, on parting with Perkins, exclaimed, "My dear young friend, I am reluctant that you should go. You are sure to experience kindness every where; but I am sorry," and as she spoke, the tears stood in her eyes, "just when I had learned to take care of you, that we should part." Our homeward route did not lie by the hamlet where the Fanshawes resided; we had not therefore, an opportunity of revisiting its interesting inhabitants; those of them, at least, who were interesting to us. We learned however, through indirect sources, that they were well. Dame Fanshawe indeed, occasionally forwarded little presents of preserved fruit, cream cheeses, In and the like. There came not many letters, but what was almost as significant, there was often a pair of embroidered ruffles or a stock, severally white as snow, for Mr. Edward. some little corner, small ciphers E. P. wrought with Ellen's needle, usually found a place. What Perkins chose to interchange, I do not exactly know. I rarely liked to advert to the subject, since deep sighs and earnest melancholy looks were the most frequent response. I remember seeing at intervals, small piles of cambric handkerchiefs, the produce of France, es_ sences, gloves suited for female wear, and books such as a young person might read. These and other little matters, doubtless destined for Ellen, disappeared to be replaced by something analogous in turn. I only learned by chance, that he continued the stipend which Mrs. Fanshawe received while under her roof. haps," said he, "I may return: I know that the rooms which I occupied, and the books which I left, are arranged as heretofore; and "Per |