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assistance in making some slight alterations in her dress, already, I thought, unusually elegant for the time of day.

Two hours, perhaps, passed away-no doubt to her of the most intense anxiety, for I could hear her ceaseless footsteps to and fro the room, as she sought, by restlessness, to relieve the perturbation of her mind-and then a handsome equipage drew up at the door, and a gentleman, who did not give his name, alighted, and a moment after, came down-stairs with the lady on his arm, and they drove off at a rapid rate. I never saw her after: hour after hour passed by-night came back-but the lady did not return, nor the next day, nor the next.

perhaps the hours that to me appeared intermi- | too harshly of her impatience-it might be imnable all too short for her engrossing supplica- piety. She knew it was very wrong, but she tion. But, oh, it was a solemn thing to lie could not help it. awake through those dismal hours, hearing, Alas, even my theoretical philosophy gave amidst the buffetings of the storm and plashing way before the strong reality of her grief! and rains, the sadder sound of mental suffer- at length I could only mingle my tears with ing, which no human hand could alleviate. hers, and pray that her sufferings, whatever Never did I feel more grateful for the dawn their nature, might be alleviated. I have often of a new day than when the glare of the stormy thought since, how sadly her story evidenced clouds told me the shadows of the night had that the Power that orders all things knows vanished; and then, too, either overcome with best what is good to be granted and what withnatural weariness, or fearful that the ears she held-she gained her prayer, only to render tenhad imagined sealed in the darkness of night fold more bitter the stern course of retributive should become cognizant of her distress, the justice, that, in this case, even a kingly voice poor lady's voice died away, and I trusted that failed to turn aside. While I still sat, vainly for a time unconsciousness brought her a tem- endeavouring to lead her mind from the disporary relief from her affliction. She had de- tresses that absorbed it, the postman's rap sired to be called by a certain hour; and I brought a sudden hectic to her cheek that faded took care that breakfast, in its most inviting to ashy paleness as I placed in her hand a letter form, should meet her upon leaving her apart-bearing an official seal. I saw that its contents, ment. But the full heart has no appetite; and though probably expected, very much excited though (in order to save the presence of ser- her, for her hands shook while reading it, and vants)-for the night she had passed was deeply a sort of nervous tremor was in her voice when, evidenced in her worn and pallid aspect-Ia moment or two afterwards, she begged my made breakfast for her myself (an attention she felt, and thanked me for), she did nothing but trifle with a morsel of dry toast; and after two or three ineffectual attempts to swallow it, pushed aside the cup, into which her tears had fallen, and, with a look that seemed to say, "You see I try to do as you wish me, and I thank you very much; but 'tis impossible," turned away and wept. Now, who could look on at this sort of thing, and yet withhold the words of sympathy-it might be consolation, that the heart is longing to pour out? I waited till the overflow of her tears had in a measure relieved her, and then I expressed, what she must have before observed, my real anxiety at her distress. I pointed out to her, as one I am afraid I must plead guilty to a large older than herself, and more accustomed to share of that innate love of scandal that is genetread the red-hot ploughshares of affliction, that rally attributed to my sex. I thought over the difficult lesson to the inexperienced in human affair in every point of view that my poor suffering the necessity of resignation; for well worldly imagination could devise, and I blush I knew, that in the agony I had unintentionally to say, I arrived at a very Mrs. Candour-like witnessed the preceding night, there was no conclusion. There was something so inexplicasubmission-it was the wrestling of a strong ble in her being alone, and unattended-in her spirit for the mastery of its own will-one rest- exceeding mental distress-in the anxiety she less cry for mercy, but not for strength to bear, had evidenced about the coming of that letter should that mercy be denied. And here I (for she asked frequently at what hours letters struck on the master-chord of her grief; and were delivered)—her emotion at receiving it— the passionate burst that followed I shall never her anxiousness about her appearance-and forget. more than all, the hurried way in which she had Yes," she said, "all ordinary sorrows ad-gone off with her anonymous visitor-I began mitted of resignation; but there were some trials that the heart could not bear unbroken, and hers was one of them-it was too dreadful -time could not soften the blow, nor its certainty bow her to its endurance. It must not be. God had promised to hear prayer, and she would not cease to importune till her's was granted." Alas! so dreadfully did grief prey on her mind, that I almost dreaded for her senses; yet I remarked, though sorrow is generally so communicative, that she never once alluded to its cause. She would tell me by and by; and in the meantime, I was not to think

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to think that my first fears were correct,―that the lady had eloped, and that I was, in a measure, a party concerned. Then, too, it first occurred to me that I was not sure of her identity; for though she had introduced herself as the daughter of my friend, she had never mentioned her husband's name, nor was there any address on her trunk to enable me to advise with him on the subject. I knew not what to do; there was her travelling dress, and watch, and other trinkets, and to address the colonel on the affair was a very delicate and unpleasant task; besides, I felt convinced, that, if anything

of this kind had occurred, on his part, at least, some attempt would have been made to recover her, so I determined to wait patiently for time to unravel the apparent incongruities of the affair. Alas! all too soon I learnt the melancholy story.

the terrors of death by days and nights of agonizing anticipation, but these were sufficient to enable the devoted wife to plan and execute her intrepid effort to redeem him.

Tearing herself from his embrace, and without even trusting her relatives with her design, lest their hopelessness and timidity should overrule it, she wrote to secure the aid of powerful friends at the court of St. James's, to procure her an audience of her then majesty, Queen Charlotte, and strong in the courage of despairing love, unprotected and unattended, set off for London.

Not much more than a fortnight after the circumstances I have described-at all events, while they were still fresh in all their inexplicableness-I was told that a person from Scotland desired to see me; and a respectable-looking old man, whom I at once recognised as the confidential servant of Colonel Singleton many years before, followed my intimation for him to be shown in. I cannot say that I felt any surprise at the subdued air and dejected manner of the old man, for I had fully made up my mind to the story of his young lady's disgrace, and I knew it would fall as heavily upon the faithful servant as if she had been his own child. Never can I sufficiently hate the uncha-guish of her soul dictated, was the natural action ritable judgment of my illiberal heart, or forgive myself the injustice of my suspicion. It is one of those stories that occasionally gives to the page of truth the romance of fiction, and one to which I feel it impossible to do justice. It is the heart alone that can fill up such recitals. Poor Forbes told it to me with a bowed down head, and with accents broken by emotion.

And this was the mystery my narrow heart had so grossly interpreted! How well I could now understand the bitterness of her sorrowthe passionate agony of her supplications! But to continue my story. Introduced to the presence of her majesty, to cast herself at her feet, to pour forth the strong and affecting expressions that the emergency of the occasion, and the an

Without entering into details that filled the papers of the period, and the lips of every one, it is merely necessary to state, that an after-dinner quarrel had occurred between Major Cameron, the husband of the unfortunate lady, and a brother officer, with whom he was dining; some objectionable expression had been used, which the major insisted on his friend's retracting, but which the other as pertinaciously refused to withdraw. Heated by wine and anger -for it is but charitable to believe that neither of them was sensible at the time-a challenge ensued, which the major insisted on putting to the issue on the spot; and they fought with closed doors, and without seconds, although his antagonist was heard to say-"This is not fair, Cameron; let us have witnesses." But the vindictive feeling of the moment usurped the place of every other consideration in the breast of the angry man, and their conflict went on. It has escaped me now whether they made use of swords or pistols, but whatever the weapon, only a few moments elapsed, till the major came forth alone, sobered, and a murderer!

In those times, when duelling was an everyday occurrence, it must have been the peculiar atrociousness of this case that induced the rigorous measures that followed. Major Cameron was immediately apprehended, and at the then sitting assizes, convicted of the murder, and sentenced to death-a sentence so unlooked for by his friends, that his wife and father-in-law were in court ready to receive him on his acquittal. Only a few days, and these the result of instant and important interest, intervened between his condemnation and the period of execution, for the law was not then so merciful as at present, if, indeed, it be a mercy to lengthen

of impulse; her youth-her earnestness-and the sight of her distress, so wrought upon the royal wife, that though she refused to interfere with the king's decision, as regarded her husband's fate, she herself led the unhappy lady to the door of the royal closet, and commanded the page in waiting to admit her, satisfied that no influence was so likely to affect his majesty's determination as the natural eloquence of such a pleader. Roused by this solecism in courtly etiquette, the king turned to the intruder, who, with the instinctive action of supplication, was already kneeling at his feet; and, regardless of the royal mandate to rise, her woman's heart supplying her with the strong and affecting fluency of grief, she maintained her humble attitude-her unconnected, but heart-stirring appeal - till the resolution of the monarch merged in the compassion of the man, and he granted to her persevering devotion the mercy that a strict sense of justice had hitherto denied. She rose, enriched by the gift of a life a thousand times more precious than her own.

Timanthes, when he hid the countenance of Agamemnon -- to the expression of which he felt his inability to do justice-only copied the expedient of nature, who throws the veil of tears and silence over all emotions in excess. What words could have expressed to the sympathizing sovereign the joy of those streaming tears-the passionate gratitude that hovered, but found no voice, on the uplifted and trembling lips-or the touching homage of her woman's form, bowing itself more lowly to bless than it had done to supplicate! Moved, almost, as painfully by the sight of her scarcely-supportable happiness as he had been by her excessive grief, the king hurried her from the apartment, and placing in her hand the instrument of her husband's safety, bade her remember, that till it was presented, her object was not achieved. With this sentence sobering her imagination, and quickening her resolves, without a moment's delay, or even making the necessary alterations in her attire, the anxious wife stepped into the carriage that had been prepared for her, and,

accompanied by the friend who had taken her from my house, set off for Scotland. Relays of horses had been ordered at the different inns along the road, and the douceur of a guinea promised to the postilions for every mile effected in the hour above the ordinary rate of travelling. Yet uncalculated impediments seemed to throw themselves in the way; and as the foaming horses dashed into Edinburgh, on the morning appointed for her husband's execution, the sullen tolling of the death-bell was the first sound that met her agonized ear, and she knew that the very moments of his life were counted.

On, on, the carriage struggled through the crowded streets, where every moment fresh obstacles occurred to retard its progress-now, a line of vehicles already blocked the road, and there, an unseen barrier effectually prevented entrance; throngs of people filled every avenue to the place of execution; and, for the first time, the half-frantic woman began to feel that even yet he might be lost to her. Throwing down the glasses, she implored the people, with the most piteous accents, to make way; but some, coarsely conceiving her object was to obtain a better view of the awful exhibition, only closed more completely the approach, while others, judging by the spattered state of the postilions and carriage, and the patches of froth on the chests of the panting horses, that the unfortunate lady was some relative hurrying to obtain a parting interview with the miserable prisoner, assured her that the attempt was useless-there was no forcing a way through the crowd. Maddened by her fears, she sprang from the carriage, and uttering the word "Reprieve !" in the most thrilling accents, with the document of her husband's deliverance in her uplifted hands, ran through the dense throng, who instinctively separated, right and left, to admit her a passage. Her youth, the elegance of her appearance, just as she had quitted the presence of royalty, and more than all, the vehement anguish expressed in her countenance, affected even the rugged hearts that composed that curious assemblage; and the feelings of the mob, ever in extreme, suddenly became as interested in the safety of the condemned as they had been anx ous for his execution. The cry of "Reprieve!" was caught up, and shouted as with one voice by the hoarse-throated multitude; but it was met by the frightened shriek of women; and died away in one huge groan as the figure of a man was suddenly seen to dangle from the gibbet; and after one frightful drawing up of the limbs, remained lax and motionless, except for the oscillation of the fatal rope. Still the miserable wife rushed on. Now she is at the foot of the scaffold, forcing her way, by means of the useless mandate, through the armed and intercepting soldiery-now she is tottering up its rude steps, and now beside the group of witness ing functionaries, and the ruffian-looking executioner, in his hideous mask and revolting habit. Can consciousness maintain that rigid composure a thousand times more terrible than the wildest outbreak of despair-that ghastly aspect

that stony silence! See, the executioner hastens to detach his victim-but, ah! too late, the heart is yet warm, but the cistern is broken at the wheel-the life of her life quenched!

"Yes, madam," said the old man, in conclusion, when he could again trust his voice to speak, "I took her away without a tear or groan, and apparently unconscious of all she witnessed; nor is there a hope of her recovery. It is the doctor's opinion that she will pass away in this state of mental lethargy. And my poor old master has never lifted up his head since."

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AN HISTORIC BATTLE-GROUND.

The mountains look on Marathon,
And Marathon looks on the sea,
And musing there an hour alone,
I dreamed that Greece might yet be free.

DON JUAN.

The breakfast party at the Hôtel d'Angleterre, of Athens, on a bright morning in November, 185-, was composed of gay and pleasure-seeking individuals, representing each portion of the globe. The conversation, which was carried on in French, had become general, and the battlefield of Marathon having been early introduced as a subject of interest, we were naturally led to a comparison between the character of the ancient Greeks and that of the present unworthy representatives of the once powerful republic. We were almost all strangers in Athens; only one opinion, however, prevailed as to the utter and unaccountable degeneracy of the modern Greeks: our views were, nevertheless, keenly combated by the only Greek gentleman of the party, who, warmly espousing the cause of his countrymen, declared that to misgovernment and oppression alone the temporary degradation of the Hellenic race was to be attributed, and expressed the most decided conviction that his country would, ere long, rise from the ashes of its former greatness, and shine forth once more among the nations of Europe. We might have repeated the words of Byron, whose memory is still dear in Greece:

"But what is left the poet here!

For Greeks a blush-for Greece a tear."

Generously considering, however, the weakness of our adversary, we willingly turned the conversation to the noble courage and devoted patriotism displayed by his forefathers on the plains of Marathon. Our friend, a gentlemanlike and agreeable person, soon recovered his good-humour, and obligingly volunteered to be our cicerone on the following day to the interesting spot we had been discussing. The offer met with a ready and universal acceptance; and the arrangement of all minor details having been handed over to our host, it was decided that we should start the following morning after break. fast. An unexpected difficulty, however, presented itself: the lonely and wooded region through which it was necessary to pass was said to be infested by numerous bands of robbers, whose daring and repeated attacks upon travellers had lately become the subject of serious consideration and general alarm, not only to the inhabitants of the country, but also to the weak and corrupt government of Athens, which found

itself utterly unable to stem the torrent of brigandage, at that time devastating the whole continent of Greece, and especially the neighbourhood of the capital. Our ardour was, it must be confessed, a little damped by the strange and, I doubt not, maliciously exaggerated tales which were freely repeated around us. It was suggested that our numbers and arms would be a sufficient protection.

"Ma sono assassini," whispered a pale-faced, timid-looking Italian.

"Bah, bah!" replied, in the same language, a fiery young Englishman, "saremo anche noi assassini, se sia, necessario.' The argument was unanswerable; but I could not help smiling at the different spirit evinced by the hardy Saxon and the puny Neapolitan. Anxious as I felt for the coming of the morrow, in order to start on our interesting expedition, I found but little difficulty in passing the remainder of the day. The stranger in the classic capital of Greece can never feel at a loss for occupation of thought. Turn which way he will, some glorious remnant of the past is sure to arrest his wandering steps. On the day in question, I paid a visit to La Lanterne de Diogène, a beautiful little marble temple, a perfect gem of symmetry and taste. This exquisite work of art, which is the smallest of all the Athenian monuments, has been excavated from the midst of a surrounding heap of rubbish, the accumulation of centuries: thus its beauty is perhaps enhanced by the filthy and poverty-stricken aspect of the neighbourhood, in the centre of which it rises, like an oasis in the desert. It is a circular temple, built on a quadrangular base; the projecting and richly-chased roof is supported by fluted pillars, whose graceful capitals of Corinthian architecture are surmounted by a broad band, representing numerous figures of men and dolphins; the intervals between the pillars are built up with square-cut pieces of marble, without windows. It is therefore difficult to assign a use for so diminutive an abode, scarcely larger, internally, than an ordinary-sized sentrybox. Having made a hasty sketch of this lovely specimen of ancient architecture, I returned to my hotel, in order to make some slight additions to my costume, ere I appeared at the

* But they are murderers.

† We also will be murderers, if necessary.

fashionable promenade of the day, which, it was expected, would be honoured by the presence of King Otho and his beautiful Queen. On reaching the spot, I found a military band of about sixty performers, playing an air from Verdi's beautiful opera of " Ernani," with astonishing taste and execution. Among the loungers there was a pretty good sprinkling of the native aristocracy, and a large preponderance of military men. The absence of everything even resembling beauty among the gentler portion of the company was most remarkable; it was therefore with unmixed pleasure that I beheld an open English barouche, drawn by a pair of heavy German horses, which made its appearance among the expectant throng. I was at no loss to recognize their majesties; the silent, though seemingly willing respect with which they were saluted, told me plainly enough that I was in the presence of royalty; and much as I had heard of the beauty and graceful dignity of the Queen, I was not disappointed. She was apparently under thirty years of age; her clear white complexion and fair hair proclaimed her German origin, while the beauty of her features, and a certain air of aristocratic superiority, joined to the frankest affability of manner, made her, what she certainly was, the most beautiful queen in Europe.

King Otho's extreme plainness of features was redeemed by his manly figure and striking deportment, set off to the best advantage by the picturesque costume of his adopted country, which he invariably wore, consisting of a short jacket of the lightest blue, richly embroidered with silver, and the pure white fustanella, with brocaded gaiters of silver and blue, while the simple yet graceful fez which covered his head gave a quiet and pleasing finish to the whole. The departure of the royal pair was the signal for a dispersion, upon which I returned to my hotel and excellent table d'hôte.

By eight o'clock the following morning we were all mustered. Our party consisted of nine gentlemen, armed like highwaymen, and two guides, while an abundant supply of edibles having been early forwarded to the heights of Marathon, left us nothing to desire in the way of creature comforts. The weather was charming, and the pure and invigorating air of Greece caused our spirits to mount to the highest pitch of hilarity. The city of Athens, with its noble Acropolis and neighbouring mountains, formed one of the most beautiful sights I had ever beheld, as, towering in our rear, we bade them a temporary farewell. The first half of our journey, for about seven miles, was uninteresting enough, performed as it was en voiture, and right glad we were to arrive at a miserable Greek farm-house, where horses were waiting to convey us to our journey's end. We were soon mounted; my horse, every inch a devil, was most unruly, and to make the matter worse, his bridle, a single rein, with a very powerful bit, was far from trustworthy, and threatened at every pull to separate in two. Our way for

some distance lay through a rocky and perfectly uncultivated tract of mountain country, with little vegetation save the arbutus and a few stunted trees which skirted our path. A more likely or better adapted spot for an attack on the unwary traveller could not be imagined; high, rocky inequalities rose on every side, behind which the concealed brigand could in perfect safety level his rusty fire-lock at the unsuspecting victim.

"In fact it is here," said our guide, a fine, intelligent old Greek, who spoke four languages with the greatest facility, "that we may expect an attack from these mountain robbers, should such be our destiny," Greeks and Turks being ever fatalists. "There, Signori," he continued, "do you mark yon high and irregular mass of grey rock which rises from the midst of the low brushwood, almost entirely surrounding it? I never pass the spot without a shudder," muttered the old man.

"Why, why?" anxiously inquired his hearers, as we pushed our horses closer to his side.

"Because there, many years ago, the greatest misfortune that can happen to a guide befell me, God knows, without any blame on my part; 'tis a sad story, gentlemen. Some twenty years back I was passing this very spot in the service of two English gentlemen; the elder, a man of about forty years of age, was bent upon visiting the field of Marathon, while the younger thought only of the fun and probable adventure which might befall them in the trip, which was at that time really dangerous. I had done my best, Signori, to dissuade them from their purpose, for the country was then even more infested than now by lawless bands of robbers, who spared neither sex nor age if their cupidity were once aroused. In vain did I represent all this to the headstrong travellers."

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"I could say no more; so in an evil hour we started on horseback; all went well with us till we reached the locality we are now approaching. I had warned my employers to be on the lookout, and as if my words had been prophetic, at that moment a ferocious - looking figure stepped from behind yon rock, armed to the teeth, and spoke to us in the Greek language.

"What says the villain?' angrily inquired the younger gentleman, while a look of quiet and determined resistance took possession of the countenance of his friend, as he cocked his rifle, and reined in his horse.

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He says,' I replied, that you must dismount, lay down your arms, watches, and money, and then place yourselves with your

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