friend of a person who conducted himself so ungentlemanly towards me, when he believed me unprotected. The Captain is certainly more bearable and charitable towards my feelings, and you should know how he praised your conduct, and all your achievements this day."
The truth now dawned on her repentant hearer. 'Twas not his own cause the Captain was pleading that evening, which caused Bella's blushes, and the stolen glances she threw at himself. He, therefore, with an impulse, not peculiar to him, drew the blushing girl towards him, and pressed her momentarily to his heart, replying vehemently—"Pardon my folly, dear Bella, I was only annoyed and disappointed at being separated from my old partner this evening; I shall never after this moment, harbour such stupid suspicions." A moistened eye and a fond pressure of the hand was the only acknowledgment to this outburst of feelings, and the happy lovers turned their gaze towards the novel and romantic scene before them. The happiness which this hour imparted to their young souls was an era in their life, and was indellibly imprinted on their minds, through the many vicissitudes and misfortunes of their after life, as yet a stranger to their buoyant spirits.
It was, indeed, a scene calculated to nourish a budding and ardent love. The beautiful Loch-nan-eal lay in still repose like a mirror, reflecting back the fantastic shadows of the dancers round the fires, which shot incessantly over its unruffled face, like so many sprites or goblins. The plantain trees stood solemnly like so many gigantic spectators, echoing back the merry peals of the enthusiastic revellers, who wheeled and stepped in many groups to the thrilling strains of the Highland pipes.
What a crowd of delightful and happy sensations filled the hearts of the young lovers, as they stood silently contemplating the enchanting prospect; their minds were too full, and their modesty yet too powerful to allow them to give utterance to their feelings. But those deep sighs and stolen looks in each other's eyes, told more than the most eloquent language could impart.
Yet, there hung around them some unfathomable cloud which they could not dispel. Was it a presentiment,
