expanse of waters; simplicity and cheerfulness would garnish the viands with which our table should be spread, and contentment and love prepare the couch which, at night, we should repose upon ! I indulged in the blissful vision till every external object had vanished-till I became utterly unconscious of where I was, or what I was about. I started at the sound of a horse's feet; the animal was approaching at a furious pace. I drew up close to the side of the road, and almost at the same moment he came in sight and passed me. Perhaps he had thrown his rider!" I gave the pony the rein, and pushed him forward at the top of his speed. 1-66 After galloping about a mile, I found a female in a state of insensibility upon the road. 1 alighted and lifted her. She had been lying upon her face, which was covered with blood. A brook ran in a little gulley within half-a-dozen paces of us. I raised her in my arms, carried her towards it, and washing away the gore and dust, beheld my fellow-worshipper of yesterday! What were my sensations !-no language can describe them! She seemed to be dead. With what emotions I gazed upon her pale face, which was as cold as the water I had been pouring upon it. I laid my cheek to her's to warm it; I alternately kissed her eyelids and forehead, chafing her temples all the while with my hand to restore animation; I called on her by every endearing epithet that tenderness could suggest, in the hope of awakening consciousness; I wept over her like an infant.-At length she shewed signs of life, and by degrees came wholly to herself. She did not know me at first, and seemed distressingly confused at finding herself in the arms of a stranger; the more so, as, in her fall, the fastening of her waist was undone, and her bosom partly exposed: but she was obliged to suffer me to support her, as she had not the strength to stand without my assistance. Presently, however, I saw that she began to recollect me-and, as I thought, with a pleasurable feeling: the accident that had befallen her appeared all at once to occur to her mind. She looked around, as if in quest of something-doubtless her run-away horse-and then turning upon me a look of gratitude that penetrated me to the soul, she faintly articulated, "I thank you, Sir!-Thank God it is no worse!" I had tied my handkerchief round the wound, of the pain of which becoming sensible, she raised her hand to her forehead, and feeling the bandage, looked at me again; I saw by the expression of her eyes that she remarked I had been weeping. I was holding her hand; I felt a slight pressure of her's, as of her own accord, she laid her head upon my shoulder. Her breath, which exhaled indescribable fragrance, played softly on my face; her lips had coloured into the rose again; they lay but the length of their own sweet selves from mine. As I gazed upon them, my heart swelled with a tenderness which it had never experienced before; I drew my lovely burthen closer to it; our cheeks touched each other; but a hair's breadth divided our lips-they were united for a moment-the next, her face was turned away; and gently disengaging herself, she moved a pace or two from me, but instantly stopped through lameness. She had sprained her ancle severely. What was to be done? I pro She posed that she should mount my pony, and allow me to conduct her to a cottage, the chimney of which was apparent above a clump of trees about a quarter-of-a-mile distant. She acquiesced, and accepting my proffered arm, attempted to walk to the horse, but was unable. looked up in my face and shook her head. From the nature of the ground I could not bring the animal to the place where we were standing. "You must allow me to carry you," said I. She replied not; I lifted the sweet girl, and cautiously picking my steps, lest I should chance to stumble with my burthen, conveyed her to the back of my little steed; then, with my arm around her waist, to secure her on the saddle, I walked him slowly forwards. Not a word did either of us utter for that quarter-of-a-mile. For my part, I was too full of my blissful occupation to speak; and as for her, whatever her sensations were, they did not seem to dispose her to enter into conversation. With her hand resting on my shoulder-for I had requested her to place it there, the better to preserve her balancesilent, and with downcast eyes, she suffered me to conduct her to the cottage, at the door of which, in about ten minutes, we arrived. Our summons was answered-" We were welcome to enter." I lifted my pale charge-who, by this time, appeared rather faint-from her seat, and carrying her into the house, placed her gently upon a chair. A cup of water revived her. Exhorting the mistress of the cottage not to leave her, in a minute I was in my saddle, and on my way back to Brading-for I was aware of the importance of immediate medical advice and assistance. I rode at a smart pace, and had not proceeded more than a couple of miles, when I met a young man on horseback leading an animal which I recognized as the steed that had run away. Without waiting for his enquiries, I told him of the accident which had happened to its mistress, directed him where he would find her, and rode on. In about three-quarters of an hour I arrived at the house of the doctor, whose shop I had visited in the morning. He was fortunately at home. I told him my business; he had but just returned from visiting a patient, and his horse was not yet unsaddled. Nothing could be more lucky! In less than five minutes he was re-mounted, and on the road again by my side. His hack was a capital one, and stepped out, keeping mine-whose spirit was roused by having a companion-all the way upon the gallop. We arrived at the cottage in half the time that it had taken me to reach the village. I sprung from the back of my beast and entered. She was gone!-A man had brought back her horse, and taken her with him! "Did she know her name ?" "No." "Did she know where she lived?"- "No." "Did she know which way they had taken ?"-" Yes--the road to Nighton." I was in the saddle again, and a mile and more away, before I found that it was the doctor's steed which I had taken, and recollected that I had left its master gaping at the door, without addressing a word to him, to let him know what I was about. I spent a fortnight in the island, not a corner of which I left unvisited; I could not find a trace of the being whom I felt I had loved from the first moment I beheld her, and was assured I should remember for life! I returned to London an altered man; listless and abstracted, I wanted the energy requisite to extricate myself from my difficulties. They accumulated. One day I was called down to a person who requested to see me. Upon entering the parlour I saw a man of most gentlemanly appearance, standing on one side of the fire, and leaning on the mantel-piece. There was an expression of benevolence blended with thoughtfulness, almost approaching to melancholy, in his look; I requested him to be seated, took a chair myself, and begged to know his business. "I am a solicitor, Sir," said he. "I found my clerk drawing out this writ against you, but as it is always my custom to apprise a gentleman of an affair of this kind, that, if possible, harsh proceedings may be avoided, I have waited upon you." Unpleasant as the communication was, I was struck by the manner in which it was made, and which breathed the soul of honor and philanthropy. I paused for some time before I spoke. At length I enquired the particulars of the claim, and learned that it was on account of a bill which I had accepted for the accommodation of a friend. "I cannot pay it, Sir," said I, "I must go to prison; but I have a request to make of you. I am your debtor for the very handsome manner in which you have acted towards me, by thus giving me notice of the annoyance with which I am threatened; add to the obligation, by telling me when and where I shall surrender myself to the officer who is to execute the writ, that the matter may be transacted in the way least likely to give it publicity; I have no right to expect it, but I am persuaded you will place that confidence in me." "There is no hurry, Sir," said he, looking earnestly in my face, and, at the same time smiling, "we must see what your friend can do. Perhaps he may be brought to accommodate the affair." "I candidly tell you," replied I, "that I fear he has it not in his power." "Well, Sir, said he, "We shall see at least; and in the mean time, here is my address." He was departing, when I stopped him to enquire when he expected me to wait upon him. "To-morrow, Sir?" said I, " No," replied he, "Friday or Saturday will do; or the beginning of the following week." "And if it comes to the worst, you will oblige me in the particular I have mentioned," added I, extending my hand to him. He took it, and shaking it, "Assuredly!" said he, and bade me good morning. I would not allow Monday in the ensuing week to pass without calling on the worthy solicitor. The moment I entered his room, I saw how the matter stood. My fate was written in his countenance, which, as soon as he saw me, fell, and assumed an expression indicative of perplexity and concern. "Well, Sir?" said I. "Your friend is no likeness of you, Sir," exclaimed he, “I wish that rascal had been written on his front, and then a man of honor would not have stumbled upon him! he has left you in the lurch, and is off!" "It can't be helped," said I. "I wish it could," rejoined he. He had been writing when I entered, and he resumed his work. His pen wanted mending, and he could not get it to please him. He took a new one, and tried it; 'twas equally bad. He rang for his clerk, put some questions to him about different matters, apparently of no great concern, and dismissed him ; then walked up and down the room, occasionally pausing, as though to muse for a moment; and at last returning to his desk, began to write again. I saw he was greatly disconcerted, and I guessed the cause. "When shall I come?" enquired I. "For what?" said he. "To go to prison," rejoined I. He folded his arms and rocked backwards and forwards upon his chair without making me an answer. I am sure a full quarter of an hour elapsed, without a word being said on either side. "Can you give me till Wednesday ?" said I. "Till any day;" said he, with emotion so evident, that I was almost affected myself. "I shall be here on Wednesday," said I, "at what o'clock shall I come?" "At your own hour." "One, then," said I; and hastily left the room and went home. The confidence which this worthy man placed in a person, who, a week before, was a perfect stranger to him, seemed most extraordinary. He positively allowed me to put off the day for surrendering myself. The reason of my wishing to have it postponed, was this. A friend of mine was bringing out a dramatic work at one of the theatres. The night of performance was that of the very day which I had fixed upon for resigning my liberty, and such was my anxiety to be present at its representation, that I could not resist the temptation I felt to solicit a short reprieve. 'Twas granted soon as asked, and a thousand times more readily. Indeed, it seemed to be a relief to the good man's mind, that he should not have to impound me for another day. To the theatre I went, but I saw not the play, though it was acted; there, in the circle above the dress one, the fourth box from the stage, and in the front row, sat the dear girl who had so unaccountably vanished from me in the Isle of Wight; and I was sitting in the pit, without a shilling in my pocket to enable me to get near her. She was more beautiful than ever, although the high tint of ruddy health that wantoned on her cheek when first I saw her, had somewhat faded, and pensiveness had supplanted the ease and blandness which then were seated on her looks. She was placed between an elderly lady and a young man, who seemed a rustic, but of a superior order. How I envied the latter! With what pain I scrutinized the expression of his countenance, as if I could read in it the relation in which he stood towards his captivating neighbour! How my heart sickened when he looked at her or addressed her; and when once or twice her countenance spoke pleasure as she replied to him, what adders were nestled in her smile! When the first act of the play was concluded, some of the persons about me stood up; and my view of her being intercepted, I stood up too. As her eyes ran over the house, I hoped they would light upon me; and I thought they were on the point of doing so, when the clown attracted her attention, and caused her to turn them upon him! Be sure I invoked no blessing upon him! There I stood gazing, and so thoroughly forgot where I was, that I was not aware that the curtain had risen, the people had resumed their seats, and the performance had re-commenced, till a loud hissing behind me, and a cry of "sit down!" repeated by several voices, awakened me and caused me to look round; and still I stared about me to discover the cause, and in all probability should have remained till now in ignorance of it, had not a gentleman who sat near me, tapped me gently on the arm and told me I was intercepting the view of the stage; when at last I sat down considerably disconcerted. In a second however my eyes were turned towards the box again; its enchanting occupant was not in her seat; the company in it were in confusion; a man was carrying out a female who had fainted; I caught a momentary glimpse of his face-'twas the rustic and it was she! I made my way out of the pit I know not how. I cared not who I pushed aside, or what was said to me. In my precipitate haste I missed my way in the avenue, but found it again. At last I reached the box door; a coach was drawn up, into which a lady was entering, of whose gown I merely caught a glimpse, when the door was shut; I looked in at the window, and had just time to see a female supported on the shoulder of a man, when the sash was drawn up and the vehicle driven off! I followed it, through I know not how many streets, as it proceeded at a rapid pace. At a turning I came in collision with a gentleman; both of us fell with the shock, and upon rising, he collared me; I endeavoured to shake him off, but to no purpose; I apologized to him, still he would not let me go, for he was heated with wine as well as choler. I lost all patience, and grew mad; I drew back my hand as far as I could, and with all my force launched it right in his face; he fell, and I was free, but the coach was out of sight! TO BE CONTINUED. SONNET. BY JOHN CLARE. THE sallow catkins, once all downy white, his ear, |