The Pilot

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love whate'er t

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h of its ancient character to blend the venerable with what was thought comfortable in the commencement of the reign of the third George. As this wing had been appropriated to the mistress of the mansion, ever since the building had changed its spiritual character for one of a more carnal nature, Colonel Howard continued the arrangement, when he became the temporary possessor of St. Ruth, until, in the course of events, the apartments which had been appropriated for the accommodation and convenience o

which all the colors of the rainbow were scattered in bright confusion, united to relieve the gloomy splendor of the enormous mantel, deep heavy cornices, and the complicated carvings of the massive woodwork which cumbered the walls. A brisk fire of wood was burning on the hearth, in compliment to the willful prejudice of Miss Plowden, who had maintained, in her most vivacious manner, that sea-coal was "only tolerable for blacksmiths and Englishmen." In addition to the cheerful blaze from the hearth, two waxen lights, in candlesticks of massive silver, were lending their aid to enliven the apartment. One of these was casting its rays brightly along the confused colors of the carpet on which it stood, flickering before the active movements of the form that played around it with light and animated inflections. The posture of this young lady was infantile in grace, and, with one ignorant of

like the fairest alabaster set in the deepest ebony. Beneath the dark profusion of her curls, which, notwithstanding the sweeping train that fell about her person, covered the summit of her head, lay a low spotless forehead of dazzling whiteness, that was relieved by two arches so slightly and truly drawn that they appeared to have been produced by the nicest touches of art. The fallen lids and long silken lashes concealed the eyes that rested on the floor, as if their mistress mused in melancholy. The remainder of the features of this maiden were of a kind that is most difficult to describe, being neither regular nor perfect in the

ealm!" exclaimed the laughing female on the floor, clapping her hands together in

ed her eyes toward the other, a spectator might have been disappointed, but could not have been

o large, mild, blue orbs, that seemed to float in a liquid so pure as to be nearly invisible and which were more remark

our brain," returned Cecilia; "but I know not how to conquer your disease, unl

who has had the regimen administered to him through many a hard gale, but who continues as fair a candidate for Bedlam as ever. Would you think

urage him to expect much, but surely he cou

s. What a fine time he must have had of it, in his little Ariel, among the monstrous waves we saw tumbling in upon the shore to-day, coz! I hope they will wash his impudence out of him! I do think the man cannot have had a dry

ks, in infinite mirth, and tossed the mimic flags gaily around her person, as she was busied in forming new combinations, in order to amuse herself with her lover's disastrous s

schooner, that had been seen venturing with fearful temerity within the shoals, only six miles from the abbey, and that unless God in his gracious providence had been kind to them, ther

ossing her face, as she clasped her hands before her, and fastened her keen eyes vacantly on the splendid pieces of silk that now lay unheeded around her. At this critical moment the d

he said; "I trust, however, that an old man's presence can ne

Howard had risen at his entrance, and continued standing until her uncle had comfortably disposed of himself. Throwing a glance wh

e, nor do I see the necessity of such constant seclusion

cle, with surprise, before she r

ion, dear sir," she at length uttered; "bu

rely been less governed by any natural pride that I might have entertained on such a subject, than by a desire to consult your comfort and happiness. Everything appears to my aged eyes as i

, and your niece will endeavor to do prope

, he would have made one of the bravest and ablest generals in his majesty's service-poor Harry! he might have been living at this very day, and at this moment leading the victorious troops of his sovereign through th

r person, and pressing it to her lips, "we have no cause to complain of our lot in respec

ce; "Alice Dunscombe is and must be wrong; Providen

provincial dialect, however, were slightly perceptible, and which, in its low tones, wanted that silvery clearness that gave so muc

ntrance, her reception, and her attire, sufficiently denoted that the presence of this female was neither unusual nor unwelcome. She was dressed with marked simplicity, though with a studied neatness, that more than compensated for the absence of ornaments. Her age might not have much exceeded thirty, but there was an adoption of customs in her attire that indicated she was not unwilling to be thought older. Her fair flaxen hair was closely confined by a dark bandeau, such as was worn in a nation farther north by

then turning himself to Katherine with an air that became stiff

eady and (I am bold to say, Miss Alice) able to defend herself ag

Katherine, pettishly, "nor do I wish to have dissensions

of the veriest nuns who ever inhabited these cloisters. I tell her, madam, that neither her years, nor my fortune, nor, indeed, her own, for the child of Harry Howard was not left penniless, require that we should live as if the doors of the world were

f her cousin. "You have taste In a lady's attire, Colonel Howard; will not this bright yellow form a charming relief to my brown face, while this wh

dispute a lady's taste, and he renewed the dialogue, with his slightly awakened suspicion completely quieted by her dexterity and artifice. But although it was not difficult to deceive Colonel Howard in matters of female dress, the case was very differen

receive our friends in a manner that would not disgrace the descendants of the ancient possessors of St. Ruth. Cecilia, here, my brother Harry's daughter, is a young lady that an

asure, my good uncle," said Miss H

it be in any manner that will relieve the tedium of this dull resid

s! Well, then, our first step shall be to send a message to Dillon and the

d, and dropped her mild eyes to the carpet;

all adjourn to your part of the house, and do the honors of the tea-table in your drawing-room, instead of our own. I understand

olonel, "that so long as certain suspicious vessels were known to hover on this coa

said Katherine, "but let it be spoken in

t? Miss Alice must form strange conclusions of our manners, if s

Miss Dunscombe, in a melancholy, reflecting tone. "There are few living who know the dangerous paths that can conduct even the smallest craft in saf

ey are lost," returned the veteran, in a

tle figure to the height of her cousin. "They are skilful and they are brave, and what gallant sailors can do will they do, and successfully; besides, in what behalf woul

. His own black eyes sparkled with a vividness unusual for his years, an

f the first Charles; it is this crime that has dyed more fields red than all the rest of man's offences united; it has been visited on our race as a condign punishment, from the days of the deservedly devoted A

hat throws the common blackslidings of our lives, speaking by comparison, into the sunshine of his favor. Many there are who sever the dearest ties of this life, by madly rushing into its sinful vortex; for I fain think the heart grows hard with the sight of human calamity, and becomes callous to the miseries its owner inflicts; especially where we act the wrongs on

Howard has not that apology. Peace, Cecilia, for I must speak! Believe them not, dear girl; there is not a wet hair on their heads. For you, Colonel Howard, who m

other Harry, Cecilia's father, dashing Hugh Griffith, as we called him. The urchins left home together and were rated on board one of his majesty's vessels on the same day. Poor Harry lived to carry a broad pennant in the service, and Hugh died in command of a frigate. This boy, too! He was a nurtured on board his fathe

as fondly cherished in America as any that she boasts of," said Katherine, proudly; "

not escape the imputation of possessing a misguided reason. No man-I speak not of women, who cannot be supposed so well versed in human nature-but no man who has reached the time of life that entitles him

id Katherine, with provoking coolness, "call on Mr. Christoph

held, in reality, the sombre visage of his kinsman, who stood holding the door in his hand, apparently as muc