sneer had passed from his lips, and he guzed fearfully around, as if hoping that his ears deceived him, yet dreading the contrary; but whef that unearthly sound penetrated, a second time, into the hall, and he saw, by the faces of the guests, that they tuo heard the knell, his comitenance hecume ghastly as that of a corse, and he clung to the table to support his tottering knees, And as the iron voice rung out again across the night, he uttered an agonizing ery, gasped for breath, and sinking down utterly into his seat, with the wine cup still in his hand, fell over at the twelfth stroke, dead on the floor. At the same manent the wind eddied through the casc~ ments, and the.ceneers expired. ‘Then mortal fear seized on the guests, and springing from the board, end elimb- ing ond straggling over each other, they urried wildly from that fatal festal hell, As they rushed into the air, the room burst into flames. Bot they dared not, look bebind, With wilder affright they fied, while, at every step, came, horne after theih on the breeze, the tolling of that fearful bell. It pulsicd their hearts, it emote their knees with weaknesy, it almost took from them their breath. At every stroke of that knell some long forgot- ten crime rose up to their memories. They paused not until they clasped, in supplicating agony, the rails be- neath the high altar of the Cathesteal.
« All night that bell, rang by unknown hands, tolled ‘on, curdling the blood of the listeners ; and ail night the- shuddering guests prayed und knelt before the crucifix. When morning dawned, the bishop, preceded by the relics, and followed by his priests, entered the still smo- King hall, They found the body of the Baron charred, blackened and inutilated ; the face only was untouched
by fire. But on that countenance rested on expression ; of fieres end ulter agony, such as hsunted the dreams of |
those who suw it to the grave. From that fearful night the Baron’s bell has never been known to toll, nor could ‘a thousand men move it in its bed of solid masonry.”
ENCHANTMENT.
RY EDWARD J. PORTER.
No master of the hidden spell has twined > His trembling, mystic wreaths around my brow, Whose leaflets aparkied *ucath the moonlight glow, With the bright. fearful dower ‘twas their’s to bind No sister wierd, in her wild raving hour Of inspiration, deeply breatlied upon, — ‘When first her gleams of light from heaven are won— "This lonely xoul, her words of hushing power; And yet above, around my spirit lies ‘A sparkling chain I may wot e'er remove, ‘Twined, gentle one! by those soft gleaming eyes, ‘And riveted by gentler smiles of love From thy fair checks; but ob. ‘tis blise to pine In chains 30 sweet, 80 exquisite as thine!
LADY'S
HERBERT MORDAUNT.
BY GEORGE BATDR.
Skill, or prndence in availing ourselves of our paturat
talents and advantages, will compel favor and patronage, ‘even where it is held trom prejudice or ignorance. = Scott's Autigvary.
« Wouz, Hethert, I have seen Mr, Baldwin this morn- ing,.and he seys that one of his students has lately qualified, and he shall expect you in a few days to supply the vacancy,” soid Ms. Mordaunt, one of the most opulent citizens of New York to his yon, a young: | man about twenty years of age, who sat twirling « Hight § summer hat on hie hand with an air of negligence, that evineed how utterly indifferent he was, to the princely ! display of wealth around him,
«If such are his expectations, I must say that be will” Ve sally disappointed,” said Herbert Mordaunt,
« You will have a delightful time of it, es there will be five students besides yourself, all of them sons of the i-wealthiest men in the city,” pursued Mr. Mozdaunt, seemingly inattentive to the reply of bis sun. _
«T doubt not, that I should find their companionship highly agreeable, neverthclexs I must debar myself of that pleasure; for (although it sorely aflicts me to thwart your wishes) a professional man I can never be!”
«Why, what particular objections can you have, to being esteemed one of so numerous and respectable a cluss of men—a class for whom your brother Felix there, } vchom the ladies already begin to recognise as Dr. Mor- daunt, has ever shown such a decided preference?” said Mr. Mordaunt, pointing to a sofa, on the side of which rested an extremely delicate hand, which an observer could acurcely have failed mistaking for that of one of the gentler sex, had not a side-long glance at the per= son's stolid features, as he lay supine on the elastic couch, proved him to bave been the beau ideal of a whiskered dandy. a 4
“imply because my culling leads me another way,” replied Herbert Mordaunt, :
«Phen it is not on account of any prejudice againat the profession ?”
«No, sir! for had I a turn that way, I would not heai- tate to study a profession.” "
“Ab, well! doubtless then you will waive this frivo- lous objection in consideration of a life of ease, and a yearly income of five thousand dollars—come, that's a temptation not easily to be got over—only reflect on it now, five thousand a year.” ,
«Never !” said Herbert Mordaunt firmly, yet respect fully ; “for waa I to engage in a profession from which I could derive no pleasure, I showld become, instead of ‘a useful member, a drone to that community, in which an all-wise Providence has allotted us our respective
stations,”
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