and acquirements would gain her an ample support. She replied that her nearest and best friend resided in Boston, and that she would thankfully accept our kind protection, until she could meet with that friend. She

Yesterday she sat by my side a devout christian. I then felt the sweet influence of her presence-as if Heaven designed that our reunion should commence at the holy place where we mingled pious vows, ate of the same consecrated bread, and drank of the same hallow-declared her intention to devote herself to teaching,

ed cup. Now, when all was evident, and my fearful hope was changed to certainty, I sank down upon the floor, smitten almost to death with excessive joy.

that she might gain an honest living, and be useful to her fellow creatures. We embarked at Bordeaux and landed in New York on the fifteenth of June."

"Did you? (said I;) then I was not mistaken, when I thought that I saw Miss Judith on the deck of a French ship, which our packet met in the narrows on that very day. I was then on my way to London." "You remind me, (said Mr. D.,) of a circumstance which then occurred. We observed that Judith looked intently at the passengers on a ship that we passed in the narrows; and at last burst into tears. When we asked what was the matter, she said that she recog nised a dear friend on that ship, one whom she had never

the last time. She was obviously reluctant to mention particulars; so we did not press her, and she never spoke of the circumstance again. You, I presume, are that friend.

Soon after, a servant brought in my tea and toast. He found me apparently very ill,-really ill with joy. I had crawled into the bed; now I attempted to rise and go to the table, but stumbled and fell. I made out to get on a chair and drink a dish of tea, which revived me; but I told the servant to take out the things, as I had no appetite for food. The servant's report of my illness brought in the hostess, who asked if I would have a physician sent for. I told her that I was getting over the fit, and could do without medicine. "There is a strange gentleman here who knows something of phy-expected to see again, and probably had now seen for sic, (said she,)-he desired me to ask if he could be of any service." "I shall be pleased to see him,"-was my reply. She left me; and the next moment Mr. Danforth entered the room. I told him that my illness was going off and needed no further treatment; but that I wished to have a few minutes' private conversation with him. He cheerfully assented. I locked the door, and after some introductory inquiries and remarks, requested him to tell me what he knew of the late history of his music teacher. "My reason for asking, (said I,) is, that I once knew the lady and was much attached to her; I recognised her as she came into the house, and was astonished to see her; because on a visit to London, nine months ago, I was informed that she and her father had died near the same time in France."

"In New York, I again resumed the school which I had taught. Miss Bensaddi addressed a letter to her Boston friend, Mr. Von Caleb; after long delay, she received a letter from another gentleman there, a friend of his, saying that Mr. Von Caleb had gone, just a week before her letter arrived, to reside again in London that being left in charge of his affairs at Boston, he had opened her letter. He apologised that pressing circumstances prevented him from affording her any aid, but that she could write to her cousin in London, if she would. She desired no aid except friendly advice; so she wrote no more; but accepted my offer of employment as music teacher in my female seminary.

"She lived very retired in my family,seemed in

family and a few friends, she was a delightful associate; while her extraordinary skill and assiduity as a teacher, were of great advantage to my school and to every pupil that she taught.

"Of course (said Mr. D.) you were misinformed respecting her death. I presume that it was her sister, Mrs. Brannigan, whose death you heard of. I will re-disposed to mixed society;-but in private, with my late to you how I came to be acquainted with her. Bad health led me and my wife to spend the winter before the last in the south of France. We resided some months at Clairfont, a pleasant healthy village near Bordeaux. We chose that village, because it was inhabited by protestants, and was a place of frequent resort for invalids, especially English invalids. Here we became acquainted with Miss Bensaddi, who was attending on her sick father and sister. An English family in the village had known the Bensaddis in their prosperous days. They spoke in such exalted terms of Miss Judith, and compassionated her afflictions to such a degree, that I resolved to seek her acquaintance. Her assiduous attendance on her father and sister confined her almost constantly to the house; but having gained an introduction, we assisted her in nursing the sick, and soon gained her warm friendship, and what is more, acquired such knowledge of her modest virtues and talents, that we felt loathe to part with her. After the death of her father and sister, which she deeply mourned, but bore with pious submission, we proposed that she should come with us to America. We knew that she had nobly surrendered her own large fortune to pay her father's debts,—that she was the only survivor of the family, and that she felt reluctant to go back to London, where nothing but melancholy reminiscences awaited her. I assured her, that in America her talents

"But a confined city life did not suit her natural taste and constitution. Though as cheerful as such accumulated misfortunes would permit any one to be, she evidently drooped and pined away; until about the middle of autumn, when we made an excursion up the Hudson, visited West Point, the Kattskills and Niagara. This tour had a wonderful effect on her health and spirits. She was inexpressibly delighted with the scenery on our route, and showed that a country life could alone give her continued health and pleasure. On her account, therefore, as much as my own, I was gratified with the prospect of a residence in upper Carolina, where the climate will doubtless suit me and my wife, and the vicinity of the mountains will suit the taste of Miss Bensaddi. I can see that her health and spirits are already improved by the mere expectation of living near the mountains."

"I hope that she will reside in the midst of them before long," said I, under a sudden impulse. Mr. D. looked surprised, and waited for an explanation. But as yet I gave him none.

"Do me the favor, (said I,) to keep this conversation a secret, for the present. I wish to remain unknown to

Miss Bensaddi for a short time. I reside but twenty Mr. Wilson, pastor of the church. He was an old miles from the academy, and will see you there in a friend and college-mate, and had been lately settled in few days. I must also at present withhold my name the neighborhood through my influence. I communicafrom you, until I can make it known with evidence of ted my scheme to him. He was pleased with it, and its respectability. After he had given me the promise offered me all the aid in his power. He despatched his of secresy, Iasked him if he had heard of Miss Ju- barouche to Mr. Landon's to bring over Mr. Danforth. dith's being engaged to marry a gentleman in England, The distance was only two miles; Mr. D. soon arrived about three years before. He had heard it from the and was introduced to me; we smiled and shook hands English family in France, who could, however, give no cordially. I now unfolded my scheme of a summer fesother account of the matter than this, that the gentle- tival, to which I designed to invite all the country round, man had died without consummating the marriage. Ju- and among the rest his music teacher. To carry out dith had never mentioned to them any thing respecting my views it was needful, on the one hand, that Judith it. Though communicative on all other subjects, she should know nothing about them, until the proper mohad never alluded to any love affair in her past history.ment, and should be for a while kept in ignorance of my Mr. Danforth being summoned to dinner, I took advantage of the opportunity to make my escape, unobserved by the party, and rode post-haste to the academy.

CHAPTER VI.

THE SUMMER FESTIVAL.

I arrived at the academy a day sooner than the party of teachers. I hastily visited the trustees,-told them that Mr. Danforth would arrive the next evening, and after suggesting a few particulars of my former love affair with the music teacher, I begged them to avoid all mention of me or of Seclusaval, in the presence of the teachers, until I was prepared to make myself known. I besought them to humor my whim in this matter, and to prevent, if possible, all knowledge on the part of the music teacher, that such a person as myself existed in the country. In due time I would make my self known; and would soon communicate to them, privately, the scheme which I had in my head. They cheerfully pledged themselves to what I requested. To prevent untimely communications from reaching the ears of the teachers, Mr. Landon, one of the trustees, took his carriage in the morning to meet them on the way, and to conduct them by an unfrequented road to his house in a secluded valley of the neighborhood.

being in the country; and on the other hand, that she should be prepared for the occasion, and that I should know her present feelings in regard to me; lest, after all, the scheme should turn out to be a painful surprise to her, and a grievous disappointment to me.

After detailing the history of my love affair with Judith, and explaining my object in getting up a summer festival, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Danforth readily undertook the office of preparing Judith for her part in the celebration, without letting her know any thing of the matter. Having visited other friends in the neighborhood, and imparted to them more or less of my scheme of a festival, I returned to Seclusaval, and was busy as a bee in preparations for the first of June. In a few days I received the following letter from Mr. Wilson:

MAY 15TH, 1824.

My Dear G.-I now inform you how I have executed the office which you assigned to me. Two days after you left us, I went with my barouche to bring Miss Bensaddi to my house on a visit. While at Mr. Landon's, I took occasion to mention in her hearing, that I was a native of the great valley of Virginia, and that I had received my education at Washington college. I alluded to the fine scenery in Rockbridge, especially the Natural Bridge and the House Mountain, which I had visited with a party of fellow students, and had seen from its top the most splendid sun rise in the world. The moment when I touched on this theme, I saw that I hastened to Seclusaval and immediately set my she was intensely interested. Her fine dark eyes brightsteward and tenants to work in a multitude of prepara- ened immediately, as she fixed them upon me with tions for a summer festival, which I told them we were breathless attention. When I paused, she gave an into have on the first of June in Seclusaval. I astonished voluntary sigh and gradually sinking her head to a memy people with the multitude of my orders, and the ditative posture, seemed to be absorbed in thought. eagerness of all my words and actions. They saw that Finding her indisposed to ask questions, I inquired if new life had somehow been infused into me, and won- she was fond of mountain scenery. She looked up with dered how I came to be so revived all of a sudden. I animation, and for a minute or two poured forth an elotold Baylor to collect a dozen laborers at once, and go quent expression of her delight in rural scenes, espeto smoothing off and beautifying Seclusaval to the ut- cially in mountainous regions, and how much better most. "Make the valley shine," said I. "It shall be she loved to dwell in this land of valleys and moundone, sir." "Get also some carpenters to make tem-tains than in a city. "Perhaps, (said I,) you would porary buildings for the festival; keep the saw-mill agoing to furnish materials, and let us have a glorious festival." "Yes, sir, it shall be glorious; we are able to do it, and it shall be done, sir." That was enough; I knew that when Baylor undertook to do it, it would be done.

I next despatched letters and agents in various directions, in furtherance of my scheme; and having thus put things in motion at home, I returned to the neighborhood of the academy, and stopped at the house of

like to read a description of the House Mountain, written by a dear friend of mine, a native of Rockbridge, who is as enthusiastic an admirer of mountain scenery as you are." "Yes, (said she,) I should be much gratified to read it." Her voice had a slight tremor as she spoke, and the color came and went upon her cheek. "Well, (said I,) I have a copy of it at home, that I will show you this evening."

On the way I alluded to you again without naming you. "This friend of mine, (said I,) settled in another

part of Carolina, two or three years ago, and soon ac-| from Mr. G., then I will let the matter drop where it is.” quired reputation at the bar. But his success has not She then gave me a full statement, of which I have made him happy. About four years ago he fixed his room for a few particulars only. heart on a young lady, but by some unfortunate accident he lost her. The wound of that disappointment seems to be incurable, unless Divine Providence should by some extraordinary means restore him his lost bride." When Judith heard these words, she trembled and turned deadly pale, but said nothing. She seemed afraid to trust herself to speak, lest she should betray herself.

The English gentleman whom she had consented to marry, after she despaired of hearing from you, was Mr. Wycherly, a pious and eloquent clergyman; who after he had overcome her remaining difficulties respecting the christian religion, accompanied her to London from the lakes of Cumberland, and greatly aided in persuading her father to consent to her baptism. She received this rite from his hands. In the warmth of her christian joy, and her gratitude to so worthy and amiable a gentleman, she listened to his proposals of marriage; and mistaking the real state of her heart, yielded her consent. When she sat down, a few days afterwards, to write you the letter, she began to discover what a deep hold you still had upon her affections. Though hopeless of ever seeing you again, she found that her feeling of love towards you, was of a different kind from that which she felt towards the good clergyman, who deserved her warmest gratitude and esteem, but who had not awakened in her the tender sentiment of personal attachment that she still felt for you.

In the evening, when I and Miss Bensaddi were alone, I handed her the manuscript. When she read the title, and saw your name annexed to it, she could refrain no longer, but started up to leave the room that she might conceal her agitation. Before reaching the door, her strength failed, and dropping on a chair, she began to sob and weep. "My dear Miss Bensaddi, (said I,) what is the matter?" "Oh, sir, I know not what to say; my feelings overcome me." "Did you see any thing in the manuscript to affect you so deeply?" "Oh yesI cannot conceal it from you:-that name-is the name of a friend who was in the ship with me, when my dear brother was lost in the sea. May I rely on you not to A few days after she had sent you the letter, she tell how much I was affected on seeing that friend's frankly told Mr. Wycherly the state of her heart, and name once more." "Miss Judith, that friend of yours requested a postponement of the marriage. He assentand mine has told me the circumstances of that disas-ed, and returned to his residence in Cumberland. The trous voyage. He told me also, that the young lady state of his health was rather alarming, before this time. who was then so unfortunate, had won his heart wholly Symptoms of consumption had already made his marand forever. Pardon me, Miss B., for having taken this riage of doubtful expediency. The steady progress of course designedly to bring about an explanation of the disease, soon put marriage out of the question. your present feelings towards Mr. Garame. I had no Learning the desperate state of his health, she went doubt that you were the long lost object of his affec- and did for him, as a tender and affectionate nurse, all tions. I desire to know whether your feelings are as that in any circumstances she could have done. She unchanged as his. I will now inform you, that after showed me, the next day, a letter of thanks written by your return to London, he wrote you two letters in suc- Mr. Wycherly's mother after his decease, in which her cession, according to the agreement between you; and assiduous attentions were warmly acknowledged. that he feared from your silence some change of affection towards him, or he would have gone himself to London. At last he received your letter, announcing your expected marriage. This gave him the first intimation that his letters had not reached you. For this

he is a mourner still."

I

"Now, (said Miss Bensaddi, when she had concluded her narrative,) you see that I was false to Mr. Garame; because I despaired of his love and accepted another offer, when I ought to have trusted that he was only unfortunate, not changed. And I was false to Mr. Wycherly; because I made him a promise which When I spoke of the letters, she seemed at first to be could not fulfil, without doing violence to my feelings." filled with astonishment, and then she broke out into "Miss Judith, (said 1,) neither you nor Mr. Garame sobs and exclamations. After a little, I said-" Now, were false, but providentially hindered from knowing Miss B., I think you must see the propriety of letting each other's fidelity. Your promise to Mr. Wycherly me open a communication between Mr. G. and your was made in sincerity, but under an erroneous impresself. You are both unmarried-your mutual affection sion respecting the state of your heart, and you did is unchanged-or am I mistaken in supposing that your your duty honestly in confessing the truth to him when affection for him is unchanged?" After a violent strug-you discovered it. And now, since the design of Progle of a few moments, she wrung her hands and ex-vidence is manifest, in ordering that you and Mr. claimed, "Oh, sir, I know not what to say. I have be- Garame should once more be brought together, with trayed my feelings too plainly. My heart is not chan- hearts devoted to each other, I put it to your conged towards Mr. G. But it becomes not me to profess science to say, whether you can rightfully refuse to let love for a gentleman, to whose continued affection I me inform Mr. G. of the exact state of the case. have no claim nor right. I am unworthy of him, and I you thus make an over-scrupulous delicacy forever beg that you will not disturb him with any information separate two devoted hearts, and can you run counter concerning one who deserves no further notice from to the evident leadings of Divine Providence ?" "That him." (said she) is a strong view of the case; I feel that it ought to be seriously considered." "The hand of God is more evident in this matter (said I) than you are yet aware of. This academy owes its erection to Mr. Garame's exertions; and then without his zealous efforts, Mr. Danforth's terms could not have been complied

"Miss Judith, you accuse yourself so bitterly, that I must claim the privilege of being your judge: if you will state the case to me, I promise to give an impartial opinion, according to the facts. If I think your selfaccusation just, and that you deserve no further notice

Can

On the last of May, Mr. Landon, who had heretofore kept Judith very much secluded, took her in his carriage with his wife and daughter and Miss Clay-dled and glowed with etherial animation as she looked, more, to visit the mountains; he and the brother of Miss Claymore being on horseback. The weather was fine, and the whole party in good spirits. Judith had gone through such dark years of affliction, that sober cheerfulness was all that she could usually enjoy. The prospect of a trip to the wild mountains, had raised her a degree above her usual cheerfulness, and her mind was prepared to derive pleasure from a ramble so congenial with her taste.

side;-I see roses blooming in the garden; and walks and shrubberies, and every thing beautiful. There is a green meadow too, just unveiled, ornamented with trees. Let me see! The meadow is almost covered with bloom. How lovely! Miss Claymore, what is that spreading out so smoothly by the meadow side? It looks like water. It is water-a fine lake! with a boat moving over it!" Thus she noticed one object after another, as each was exposed to view. Finally, after the fog had disappeared, and the whole valley presented its enchanting landscapes, she surveyed it a while in silence, and then asked in a sort of ecstasy, if this were a real scene in the mountains, or only a dream. Being presently assured that all was real, she declared it to be the most delightful place in the world, and congratulated herself that it was sufficiently near the academy to admit of her coming to look at it, once or twice a year.

and in the rear, the smoke and the bustle of cookery showed that the tables were to be used. The other building, though a temporary structure, was formed with more regard to beauty of appearance; it was designed for such in-door exercises and amusements, as might be adapted to the occasion. I shall notice this building again. It was called the Summer Hall.

Already had several parties of guests arrived, and others were seen coming up by the lake side, in car. riages, on horses, and on foot, all in gay attire, and with a hilarity of movement indicating that they were pleased and seeking pleasure. When Judith observed these appearances, she inquired whether Mr. Baylor (whom alone she had heard spoken of as residing here,) had invited company to Seclusaval.

scarcely believe my own senses, but suspect that I am dreaming; every thing bears so much the appearance of enchantment." "There is a sort of enchantment going on here, (said Mr. L.) The worthy proprictor of this valley, has converted it into an enchanting place; and I should not be surprised if some of us should undergo strange transformations to-day. I think that you are already so much under the magic influence, that you may ere night be converted into something that you think not of." "If the transformation you speak of, (said Judith playfully,) do not dissolve the sweet visions of this valley, I shall not suffer much." "No fear, Miss Judith, (said Mr. L., in the same sportive strain,) I think the enchanter is a benevolent one, and means only to give us pleasure; and if you should undergo a change, the new form of your being will doubt

"Miss Judith, pardon us (said Mr. Landon,) for not having told you, that there is to be a summer festival here to-day. We were invited to partake of it, and About sunrise the party had been joined by Mr. and the rest of us agreed not to tell you, until you saw the Mrs. Danforth, and two or three other friends. At valley, because we wished to give you an agreeable seven o'clock, they were all invited to come down to surprise." "All that I have seen to-day, (said she,) has the spring at the foot of the precipice, and take break-been so delightfully surprising, that half the time I can fast. They found hot coffee and all the requisites of a good morning's repast. At eight o'clock they mounted their vehicles, and began to descend by the road which leads down into the upper glen of Seclusaval. They frequently stopped by the way to enjoy the new views which successively presented themselves. When they reached the bottom of the glen, they found themselves so enveloped with the shade of trees and rocks, that they seemed to be cut off from all that they had seen, and indeed from all the visible and the living world of sunshine. They stopped awhile at the Dusky Cascade, and admired its romantic wildness. Pursuing their way, they wound along the southern border of the valley, till they suddenly emerged from dense shades and thickets in all the disorderly luxuriance of nature, into a grassy lawn, from which they caught glimpses here and there of wider lawns, and of hills and moun-less be a happy one." tains-but only glimpses enough to excite curiosity, until they suddenly reached the brow of a turfy hill, crowned with a tall open grove. Here a general view of the more improved parts of the valley suddenly burst upon the sight, and drew an exclamation of delight from Judith and several of her companions. The garden and hill of Glenview were seen to great advantage across the low grounds; on the right were the lake and meadow; above was the deep glen of Craggyhead leading the eye up to the towering summit, from which they had looked down upon the valley. Descending the hill, they passed over by the head of the lake, and wound up by the western side of Glenview, into its beautiful park, through which they came forward again to the house on its brow, and here again they stopped and contemplated with admiration the best of all the views of Seclusaval, now shining in its glory, as Baylor said it should.

Here some new appearances began to attract attention. In the mouth of the glen below the garden, half concealed by a grove of tall trees, were two large structures newly erected to accommodate the numerous company invited to the festival. The one was a large shed supported by framed pillars, and set round closely with green boughs to exclude the sun and wind. This was furnished with two tables, each a hundred feet long;

Now Mr. Baylor came out to the great tulip tree under which they stood, and invited them into the house. He acted the landlord on this occasion with a hearty blunt sincerity, which made up for a little want of refinement in the manner of his kindness. His wife and daughter did the honors of the house. The parlor and library had been fitted up handsomely with my holiday furniture.

When the party entered the parlor, they found sevcral acquaintances already there. Judith was asked to play on the piano. She played and sang three picces of a cheerful character, and in the best style of her unrivalled execution. She pronounced the instrument to be one of the most sweetly-toned that she had ever played upon. I owed her a dress for playing in my house-and I did not forget to pay it in due time.

The company were now joined by Mr. Wilson, the pastor, who whispered a word in Judith's ear, and then took her through the hall into the library, where he handed her a letter which will explain itself. She began to tremble as soon as she looked at the inside. She read as follows:

"My beloved Judith,-Words cannot express my joy to know that you are in Carolina-unmarried—and, as my friend thinks, with a heart unchanged towards me. He informed me by what means he had extracted