He walked on wrapped in his own melancholy thoughts, but soothed, in every sense, by the cool fresh air, the gurgling flow of the river, and all those distant sounds, which, in the quiet fields on a fair calm evening, fall so sweetly indistinct upon the ear. But the sun had set before the wanderer woke up to the recollection of the purpose before him. He looked around him; he saw green and sloping hills, many stately trees, and the same calm river flowing gently below, but no house. At last, where the leafy shade was deepest, he discovered a pile of old, quaintly shaped chimneys, opposed against the glowing sky. He had not proceeded far in the direction of the farmhouse, which now plainly appeared among the trees, when a light step seemed to approach him, and then stopped suddenly; and he heard the sound of unrestrained weeping. A hazel copse separated him from the meadow whence the sound proceeded; but on peeping through a little opening, he saw that a young girl was sitting on the bank of the meadow on the other side. For a little while she continued weeping-only for a little while-then clasping her hands together, she raised her head, and her whole heart seemed to look up to heaven in her meek and steadfast gaze. Still she sat there, almost without stirring, except that, once or twice, she looked down upon the green grass, and her hand dropped, half forgetfully and half playfully, among the flowers that grew in wild luxuriance beside her, as if she was pleased with, but scarcely knew she noticed them. Just then the rich song of the nightingale burst upon the stillness of the evening, and stole away her ear; and though her thoughts seemed yet to linger on the subject which had made her weep, she listened till at last she smiled; and so, minute after minute passed away, and gradually she forgot all her trouble; and the only expression of her fair face was innocent gladness. All this while, when she knew not that any eye but that of her God beheld her, the sad and wayfaring man was gazing tenderly and kindly upon her; and he felt his sorrow grew lighter, as he saw that one so young and so sweetly helpless was also sorrowful; and he felt soothed and comforted, to see with what a meek and thankful spirit she smiled away her grief. Perhaps an hour might have passed away (he scarcely knew) since the Earl had sunk into a reverie of old sad memories. Again he turned his steps towards the venerable farmhouse. As he drew near, in the hushed stillness of the closing evening, a few words stole upon his ear, which he knew to be the words of Scripture. The lattice of the little bay-window above him stood open: it was from hence the sounds came; they were the sweetest he had ever heard! Who has not felt the charm of a melodious voice? But it was not now the mere voice that won the listening sense; there was, if I may so express myself, heart in every low sweet tone; and the words |