STRETCHED upon the pebbly beach which fringes one of our southern counties, a man, whose appearance indicated that he belonged to what are termed the "higher classes," watched, or rather seemed to watch, on a lovely afternoon in August, the progress of the incoming tide, of which the waves, as they followed one upon another with a pleasing sound, approached him more nearly at every rush.

He did indeed but seem to watch, for the abstracted look told plainly the spirit was far away, and had no part in the strange intentness with which he leaned forward and endeavoured, by using his stick, to draw towards him a portion of pink seaweed, each time as the rippling water washed it almost to his feet, and as quickly bore it back, until, at length, as a wave cast it within his reach, he with earnest vehemence beat the mass to pieces, and scattered here and there the clinging transparent leaves, which, a moment before, had floated so lightly before him. George Maldon Asleigh was one of Fortune's favourites: heir to a title, and possessed of means sufficient to procure for him everything that wealth could purchase, it had been rare for him to find a wish ungratified. Sufficiently good-looking, and gifted with talents above the average, he had been courted until life seemed one long sunshine. Naturally of an easy temper, he could be capable of acts of kindness and generosity in cases where his own interests or whims were not in question; but, like a spoilt child-as the crushed sea-weed illustrated-his best energies were too frequently exerted in the pursuit of objects which, when attained, were cast aside as valueless, and speedily forgotten. And still, inconsistent as it may seem, if ever a pure and true affection warmed the heart of man since the days of our great forefather, it had burned within his bosom for one who, believing him to be in all things fickle, had refused

to listen to his prayer; yet he, the envied Asleigh, would for her sake have gladly sacrificed wealth and title would have served cheerfully to win her, like another Jacob for his Rachel; but, denied the treasure of the love he sought, he looked upon all the gifts showered on him by a bountiful Providence as worthless

now.

His humour alternated from despair to angry defiance; at one moment the desire to end a life now so aimless was uppermost, at another the wish for retaliation took its place. He would marry, and wound her thus-yes, marry at once the person he thought she would like least; that would pierce her woman's heart. A victim to such feelings, and shunning society, he had sought refuge in a distant village on the southern coast of England, where we first find him.

The sea-weed completely demolished and scattered to the winds, he took his way dreamily across the common, until a cry for help in a woman's voice aroused him, and turning hastily, he perceived at a short distance a girl running wildly along, followed by a sailor, whose unsteady movements told plainly how the morning had been spent.

"Protect me, sir, for Heaven's sake!" she screamed, and, tottering forward, fell fainting on the ground, while a blow from Asleigh at the same moment arrested her pursuer's progress.

Asleigh looked round for assistance, but no one was to be seen, and to leave the fainting girl there was impossible. Her drunken persecutor, after giving utterance to some incoherent abuse, and making several ineffectual attempts to rise, lay where he had fallen, and seemed to be already settling himself to sleep. Nothing could be done but to endeavour to restore animation as best he might; and Asleigh, after loosening her bonnet and shawl, ran to the beach, and dipping his handkerchief

The cause of her husband's hurried departure, which Hester guessed not, was this: a paragraph in the morning papers had met his eye, announcing the dangerous illness of the Earl of Redland, at his house in town.

Lord Redland was Asleigh's uncle and guardian. George had been almost as a son to the old man, and fondly had they both hoped he would in very truth become so. But such was not to be: had she not driven him from her? And now a barrier was placed between them, which Asleigh smiled bitterly as he thought upon-poor Hester!

He reached town to find his uncle in the extremity of illness, and his cousin more interesting in her grief than he had ever thought her in her brightest days. There was a timidity in her manner towards himself which touched him more than any other reception could have done. At one time he had believed she loved him; could it be possible he had mistaken her, when lately she had refused to allow it was so? The doubt almost distracted him; and his agony was complete, as his uncle, ignorant of what had passed between them, joined their hands, and blessed his children. Then he would have fled, but the old man clung to the society of his nephew, declaring he felt always better when George was by, and in truth he seemed so. With an affectionate garrulity he would speak of the union of his children when he should be well again. "Helen," he said, required a protector;" and though Helen would blush deeply, she did not dissent.

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It was at night, when in solitude the voice of conscience spoke loudest, that George suffered most. During the day he could scarcely be said to struggle against the fascination of his cousin's society and it was no slight ordeal; for Helen, although she had her faults, was very lovable; her chief failing being pride-that old family pride, which had been almost inculcated as a virtue. Her mind, highly stored, rendered her a fitting companion for a man of intellect; her refinement and beauty admitted of no question; and wherever the Lady Helen appeared, all others fell for

the time into the shade. Her very pride seemed to add to her perfections, and gave her that highborn look of dignity which is never to be acquired.

George's thoughts would revert to his bride far away, illiterate, though most lovely; and it must be written

the toy was becoming unsightly to his mind's eye, and at length grew hateful. He had intended writing to his wife; by the close of the fourth day he felt he could not address her. With bitter regret, half in remorse, half in anger, he recalled the acts of the past three months; now he would curse his own folly, now his innocent victim, the obstacle he had with his own hand upreared to prevent the accomplishment of his dearest wishes.

And poor Hester! still studying that dry history till your blue eyes lose their lustre-still copying, with anxious care, from the sublime writings of Milton-lines which your uninstructed mind cannot yet followall to please the husband who never loved you, and to whom you are each hour growing more repugnant.

She does not wonder at not hearing from him, for he said he should not write; but every day, as the evening mail arrives, finds her, dressed in her choicest, watching for him who comes not.

George, my dear cousin George, I have wished to ask your forgiveness, oh, so often; you must have seen my desire to do so;" and drawing herself up, you know my pride, it was long ere I could do it; but my beloved father's illness, that perhaps softened me, and your kindness to him, George-am I forgiven ?"—and Helen held out to him her matchless hand.

Suppressing a groan of agony, and to hide the deathlike pallor of his working face, he turned away, and then, without a word, drew her to him, and clasped her in his arms, while one deep sob burst from his overcharged heart.

"Dear George, I now know how truly you love me. When you spoke hurriedly that day, you remember, I had heard something which caused me pain, and I was hurt and angry. You don't know how I repented