Then Eugene, much agitated drew from his coat pocket his daguerreotype, saying, "In the meantime, will you condescend to accept this?"

Julia started, hesitated, and at last replied "Not now." Then after a moment, "but I shall be happy to see you when you return."

And thus they parted.

As Buckingham, after leaving his horse at the livery stable, walked slowly down Broadway to the Astor, he mused thus: "Not now!' that surely means that she will accept it sometime. She evidently regards me favorably-and in time she will consent to be mine. Mine! will that glorious presentiment of my life be ever realized? Yet, she said, ‘not now,' and these two short words shall be the talisman upon which my hopes are centred."

At this moment a hand was laid upon his shoulder, and a voice exclaimed, "I say, Buckingham, what are you thinking about? I have been walking beside you these ten minutes and you never saw me."

Eugene started from his reverie and colored deeply as Arlington Melville looked closely in his face. "I was thinking," he replied,

"Of course-but on what subject? So, it is a secret ?"

Our hero to evade the question, replied, “I am going home to-morrow."

"Oh! To the South. That is a place I have often desired to visit, said the other, "I have heard a

great deal about planters and slaves, and should like to make my own observations. I think I will go sometime."

Why not now?" quickly exclaimed Eugene. "Come with me, you have nothing to prevent you. I should be most happy to introduce you to my father and sister."

"

Sister, have you a sister? Well, let me see. When do you go?"

The young man mused for a few moments. Then shaking Eugene by the hand, he exclaimed"I will go-many thanks for your invitation. Good bye, till to-morrow!" And he ran into the Irving House, leaving his friend to continue his walk alone.

Arlington Melville was a cousin of Julia's; and had just arrived from England, where his parents still resided. Although Eugene had often met him at Dr. Tennyson's house, where he seemed perfectly at home, he boarded at the Irving. Buckingham liked him much, especially as he saw plainly that he was no rival in the affections of the beautiful Julia, with whom his friendship was only a cousinly regard. Young, handsome and gay, with an educated mind, and heir to a considerable property in England, he was calculated to win admiration and esteem from all his acquaintance. Therefore Eugene was much pleased at the idea of his company on his journey home.

CHAPTER IV.

"To die is to be banished from myself;

“And Julia is myself; banished from her,

"Is self from self, a deadly banishment."-Shakspeare.

"And though the slave be fettered in the flesh,
"He doth not feel his chains."-Tupper.

Buckingham and his young friend arrived at the dwelling of the former on the last day of June. They received a warm welcome from the Colonel and the fair Cora, who made a deep impression upon the heart of Melville. Her soft languid eyes, and her gentleness of demeanor, quite fascinated him.

Eugene had much to tell regarding his adventures in the North, nor was he long silent concerning the lovely Julia. Saying little in regard to his love for her, he related to his father and sister the whole history of his romantic acquaintance with the accomplished Miss Tennyson. After hearing him out, the old gentleman declared that if he had any idea of marrying her, he would banish him both from home and affection. "She is a portionless girl," said he;

แ

besides, Engene, you are well aware of my justly grounded prejudices against the Northerners, chiefly on account of their abolitionism, and their interference with our slaves. Although many of our neighbors have sent their sons to Northern colleges, I was determined you should not enter one; and if I had known of your projected visit to New-York, I should certainly have prevented it. Therefore, banish any ideas regarding a connection in that quarter, I will never listen to them.”

Eugene, as usual, made no reply, but was just as determined as before to think of none but Julia. Although forbidden to address her, both by her father and his, he had a secret presentiment that she alone was to be his earthly partner, and as,

'Hope springs eternal in the human breast,”

he felt for the time being almost content. In the meanwhile, he considered that Julia might become engaged to another during his absence; that he had given her no proof of his affection, although he felt confident that she preferred him; and that it was necessary, perhaps, for the happiness of both, that he should declare his passion. Therefore, on the anniversary of "our Glorious Independence," he penned her the following delectable epistle:

"DEAR MISS TENNYSON,

Buckingham Hall, July 4th, 18-.

"I have no doubt you will be surprised on receiving this epistle from me; yet I hope you will pardon

the liberty I take, and excuse my presumption in addressing you; which I trust you will, for you know that Cupid has neither patience nor prudence.

"This letter is dated on the 'Glorious Fourth,' a day which brings to our remembrance the immortal 'Declaration of Independence,' and I think that it may very appropriately be used for other declarations; therefore I have decided to make one of these to you, and in the language of one of the illustrious signers of that immortal document, 'sink or swim, survive or perish, live or die,' I give my heart and hand to this declaration.

"You will perhaps consider me premature in this matter, but dear lady! if you know anything of the exquisite pangs of love, you will not think so. I hope you will not sacrifice me now, whem I am just beginning to live. No! you could not be so cruel.

"As the wound I have received from the little 'blind archer' has nearly proved mortal, you only can prevent my dissolution. For heaven's sake! dear lady! have pity on me; heal this wound and put me out of misery. The fact is, I can neither read, write, study, or do anything else as I ought, for my mind reverts incessantly to you, you are the theme of my meditations by night and by day.

"I confess I am not worthy of your varied charms, but I will endeavor to make myself more so; and may that Great Being, in whose hands are held our destinies, influence you to decide in my favor.