"And I wunna be left alane amang wolves and forriners," said Miss Tibby.

"Well, then, we will all set out together, and the sooner the better. We can call for Annie on the way."

The childish Babie was in a fever of joy at the prospect of this journey, with her now beloved and affianced Grunter. Preparations were hastily made, some tearful farewells taken of kind friends, and the exiles left the pretty and quiet home where they had so long nestled.

De Villeneuve's heart trembled a little at the thought of meeting with Annie - Annie, his victim-Annie, who believed herself his wife; but he trusted to that evil spirit which had never forsaken him, and to his boundless power over that unhappy girl. In the mean time, he left no effort untried to win upon Ellen's confidence and regard.

The weather was gloriously fine, and the journey a lively and most pleasant one.

What with Screech, the spaniels, and the varied members of the family, old Mr. Lindsay and Miss Tibby, Grunter, and Babie, Ellen and De Villeneuve, the party was large enough to engross almost a whole diligence, and to fill the pavilion-cabin of a Rhine boat. All were in high good humour; Grunter had produced a store of ready money; and there is something enlivening in the mere circumstance of a return to one's native land.

But at Cologne a dreadful blow awaited our party-Annie had fled; the nuns had missed her only the day before; none knew what had induced her flight, or whither she was gone. De Villeneuve, the only person except Grunter, cool enough to advise, made every inquiry from what he reported, it was agreed to hasten to England. He expressed it as his belief, from all he had gathered, that it was to England she had fled.

Mr. Lindsay, the kind and good, was deeply affected, for he blamed his weakness in having

left her, though at her own entreaty, among strangers, it might be, foes. Miss Tibby was grieved, for she loved poor Annie. Ellen was miserable and Grunter and Babie would,

perhaps, have been more concerned for Annie, but that they were quite engrossed by each other.

They arrived at Aix-la-Chapelle, just in time to miss the morning post, and they had to wait till three in the afternoon, before they could proceed on their journey. They were in no mood of mind for sight-seeing, or for repose. Consultations, plans, regrets, and forebodings of evil had now supplied the place of sallies, and hopes, and glad prophecies. All Annie's good and kindly qualities were recalled and dwelt upon with tearful regret, and the uncertainty of her fate was a perpetual fever on the spirits of all.

After a vain attempt at a breakfast, to which, however, ample justice was done by Grunter and Babie, De Villeneuve, per

ceiving Ellen's wan cheeks and wearied eyes, proposed a walk in the pretty suburbs of Aixla-Chapelle.

De Villeneuve felt somewhat uneasy, as he perceived a splendid travelling-carriage in the courtyard of the inn, and recognised thereon the Gripeall arms. Could Zelie be so near? Could she have come there for the baths? or, had the old earl arrived alone, to amuse himself and restore his shattered frame?

None were at hand, of whom he could ask; and he hurried on, fearing he might behold at some window the wan face of poor Zelie.

Babie and Grunter set out with them, but, ere long, in true lover's style, they contrived to lose sight of them, in a pleasant lane; and Ellen found herself, before she knew they were gone, in the depths of a beautiful wood, carpeted with moss and wild flowers, and the birds singing merrily among the trees.

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"Let us return," said Ellen; we are quite alone."

"Would we were alone in the world, Ellen!"

Ellen tried to smile, as at a compliment, but she did not like the voice and manner of her companion.

"We must return. Perhaps there may be some tidings of poor Annie.

can she be?"

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Where-where

May I trust you, Ellen ?-Sit down a moment, and I will tell you all.”

"All! what do you know?"

"I know that it is possible, nay, almost certain, that she has eloped with Julian. He was long her clandestine lover."

"With Julian! Oh no, it cannot be! it is not so!" and Ellen started to her feet, pale as a young Niobe, and then sunk on the ground, mute and motionless.

De Villeneuve knelt beside her." Forgive me, forgive me, Ellen!" he cried. "I know you were not quite indifferent to that false and frivolous young man. But now you will