my past folly already known to you?" The lover threw himself at her feet, in such an attitude as to show that he had himself been her attendant under that disguise. Alicia's countenance was half smiles, half tears, as she extended her arms to raise him. She felt assured that Charies had read the mortification of her heart, and approved her manners, though he might blame her appearance at the masquerade; and in this sweet conviction she almost forgave herself, though she ingenuously told the solicitude of Emma to save her from committing an action, which, in her present circumstances, might be deemed one of folly and unkindness. "My sister's kindness was worthy of herself, and beneficial to me," returned the lover: " for finding her ticket on the mantle piece, I was induced to avail myself of it, unknown to any one but my own servant, and by taking the only dress I could procure, to effect relief to you from evident annoyance. I cannot regret an incident which enabled me to read a new page in the heart of her to whom I have been so long and profoundly attached; but never again may I have the pain of fearing to find its innocent gaiety misconstrued, or its purity sullied, by the unfeminine absurdities of a public masquerade." CHANGE SWEEPETH OVER ALL. CHANGE Sweepeth over all; In showers, leaves fall From the tall forest tree, On to the sea Majestic rivers roll It is their goal. Each speeds to perish in man's simple seeming Each disappears : One common end o'ertakes life's idle dreaming, Day hurries to its close The sun, that rose A miracle of light, Is captive to night; The skirt of one vast pall O'ershadows all. Yon firmamental cresset lights forth shining Heaven's highest born Droop on their thrones, and, like pale spirits pining, O'er cities of old days Dumb creatures graze : In dust are hid. Yea, the sky-searching tower Because their wide-stretched beds are ever shifting- And stars and systems thro' dread space are drifting Doomed for a while his heart must go on breaking |