and at length a sunbeam fell upon the expiring lamp—its glad and golden radiance was a mockery, and the wan flame perished before it. Sounds now began to break the monotony of the soldier's steps; first, a low chirp ran through the boughs, and soon the songs of the many birds filled the air with the music and cheerfulness of morning; while through the shattered lattices came the rich flush—the crimson beauty of an autumn dawn.
"Major Johnstone must soon be here!" and, in spite of herself, Francesca trembled, though more from feminine timidity than alarm. In the hurry and fever of the previous night, she had not given a thought to the consequences—now they arose in painful array before her; her very courage, as concerned danger, rather heightened than diminished their annoyance—had she been more fearful, she would have been less embarrassed; love, too, would have supported her by its own engrossing nature; but she had acted solely from an impulse of high-toned generosity. When she could assist Evelyn, she disdained to visit upon him aught of personal resentment.
As the morning advanced, her anxiety increased. Suddenly an unusual noise broke in upon the singing of the birds;—surely it was the trampling of horses' feet! She held her breath to
