flowing time nor chafing circumstance can erase affec-
tion from the constant mind. Mind is more obdur-
ate than steel; and love, the tenderest of the train
of passions, is, in its memory, as indestructible as
gold; -- gold that resists the all-corroding fire. No;
the fire may melt the impress from the seal, the sun
the angles from the stony ice; the jagged rocks may
from encounter with the wind and rain grow smooth;
this hilly globe may grow at length to be as level as
is the sea, and every jutting headland of the shore
may crumble and disappear; but your bright image
must to the eventide of life's cogitation, stay, like a
sacred peak whose lofty brow stands ever gilded
in the setting sun. Forget you! little hazard: he
whose heart is impressed with the absent's form,
needs wear no miniature upon the breast; the scho-
lar who knows his task by rote, needs not retain his
eye upon the book."

"Hearts may prove false," she answered solemnly,
"and tasks to treacherous memory committed may
be forgotten; but will you forget these weighty
words: will you be constant, oh, will you prove
true; for did I give you all I have, my love, what
were there left me should you throw it away?"

"Injurious and incredulous one," returned Montigny,
"save Lucifer, who ever threw from him heaven?"

"Forgive me," she replied, "it is but a timid girl
that speaks. She did not doubt you, though she
sought to prove you. Yet are you sure you love
her? Ask your heart, then render me its reply,
as one might do, who having listened for me to the
murmuring shell, should bring me tidings of the
storm-vexed sea. Vow not, but listen."

[[42]]

p041 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p042w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p043

v?