I wrote a letter of condolence to Lady Bernard, which was returned unopened. Serle became like a huge tomb; for its mistress, morose even in her pleasures, became still more so in her grief. The clergyman of the parish, entering her presence suddenly, saw a tear standing in her eye-actually a tear trembling on that stony lid; but it was dashed away instantly; and, reining herself up, the old lady talked calmly and philosophically of the event which had aged her by many years-which had made her cheek hollow and sunken, and her gait feeble. Sorrow might sap the foundation on which the pale, cold statue stood so erect; and the proud image might topple to its fall; but it would remain hard, firm marble still. CHAPTER XVII. "Me miserable! which way shall I fly, MILTON. AGAIN it was summer-sweet June; again the air was tremulous with its burden of sunshine and heat, of birds and butterflies, of music and of love. Once more the light leaves danced with the zephyrs, and flowers breathed sweetest odours on the passing breeze; and again "the world" flocked to London to spend its nights at routs and theatres, and its days half in bed, half in visiting and driving in the park. "There's young Compton," said a seedylooking gentleman to a friend, as he leant over the railings in the pleasing act of sucking his cane. "Lucky dog he is, really." "Bless my thoul," drawled his companion, surveying Mr. Compton through his eye-glass, as if he had been some natural curiosity, why where on earth has he been? Haven't theen him for ten thouthand yearth." "Can't say where he's been-burrowing, I imagine, since the smash he had; but he's got money left him. You know that, I suppose ?" "No-how ?" Oh, the usual way. A dear, amiable blessed old uncle died at the right time, and Master Compton walks into the property; and that wasn't luck enough, but in a few days he is to be married to one of the finest girls in town-a deuced handsome creature whom I wouldn't have minded having myself." "None but the bwave detherve the fair,' it'th thaid; but in my humble opinion, it'th betht to beware of fair theeth." "You! Fitz-Booby ?" "Yeth-don't quethion me, my dear fellow. Ith a painful subject the ingratitude of theeth!" And the elegant Fitz-Booby sighed. "She's dear creatures! By Jove! there is Miss Compton; how handsome she looks to-day!" And there, indeed, was Leila, with Charles caracoling on horseback at the side of the carriage. "Leila," he was saying, "when are you going to oblige me by allowing me to show ⚫ you over the Hospital ?" "Oh! that dear, delightful hospital! I am quite jealous of it. I am really very Well, whenever you like. desirous of seeing the internal arrangements of an institution of the kind." "To-morrow, then ?” "Yes-that will do and I will ask Lady Ravensden and Isola to accompany us.” * There is not a more interesting and morally beautiful sight than that one, visible only in Christian countries, of an hospital; where the sick and suffering, the poor and lowly, the out st of society it may be, the Helot crushed and broken by grief and agony, is tended gently, and cared for kindly, by his more fortunate brethren. The hardest heart must be touched in witnessing some of the scenes which there present themselves; and although it is a general remark that those to whom sorrow and suffering are familiar objects of contemplation, become hardened and callous at length, to scenes which would thrill the soul of one who gazes on them for the first time; yet, it is very doubtful if this be really the case. The natural, nervous feeling with which we view the quivering flesh severed by the knife; the horror common to most human beings at sight of the crimson stream of vitality flowing from the breast of his fellows-the sympathetic throb we feel when listening to cries and groans of agony; all these emotions may vanish with the novelty of the occasion; but they err who fancy that the cool-handed operator, so dexterously winding his way with the sharp knife amongst the fine network of delicate nerves, not deviating one hair's breadth from the shadowy line he has marked |