LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1064, 24 November 1877, Page 3

LITERATURE.

THE TWO SIBYLS. (Continued.) He elapsed her to his heart with wild joy, and the cloud that hung over his future vanished for the time with the kiss that sealed their happiness. Mr M'Larty returned to say that he had found a sheep-pen where some shelter could be had. Norval told him that Lily had elected to go with him, but that if he liked to remain, they would try to pick him up in their descent. To this Mr M'Larty at once agreed, and Norval having provided him with a cigar, spent his time most pleasantly arranging with himself that he should propose to Miss Montgomery next morning, and devising various improvements and additions that he should make to the manse when he should have the means at bi 3 disposal. Norval and Lily started, and it was wonderful how pleasant and easy the way seemed, even when the path was roughest and the climbing stiffest. When they stopped a little to rest, Norval told Lily how he bad resolved to be silent, that he might not bind her to a long engagement, as he saw no prospect of his being able to marry for years to come. ' After Glenach is sold, and the debt on it paid, and my mother's comfort provided for, I shall have something over that may prove the foundation of another fortune. And sometimes I have ventured to look forward to the time when I may again possess my father's land.'

' But, Norval,' said I ily timidly, * if T have some money, will not that pay the debt on Glenach, and prevent your parting with it ? ' 'My dearest, if you had even Rose's wealth, I would not take it for the purpose. My own Sibyl, I have so often felt grateful that you are not Sib\ 1 Montgomery ; if you had been I never could have asked you to be my wife.'

Lily trembled a little, and put her hand in his.

' Norval dear, tell me that whatever happens you will never cease to love me.' 'Never, my darling shall I cease to love you better than my life.

As they proceed on their way to join them, let us see what Sir Percy and Rose are about.

When he saw the mist coming down, Sir Percy, profiting by his experience on the moors, hastened towards the stream, and reached it in time. He sought a sheltered spot behind a rock, and wrapping Rose in his plaid, resolved to wait for the chance of the fog lifting before attempting the difii cult, and to him unexplored, descent Finding herst If alone with Sir Percy, Rose got a little nervous, and tried by lively sallies and light laughter to ward off all serious conversation. But Sir Percy was grave and preoccupied, and the rocks sent back her forced laughter with mocking echo, and she was forced to give in and wait for whatever might be in store for her. After a short silence, during which the spray of white heather which poor Mr M'Larty had scoured the hill-side to procure for her was torn to shreds, Sir Percy sa'd, with forced composure,- ' Miss Montgomery, I have waited an opportunity to tell you what you must have already guessed—that since I have known you, you have beon the object of all my thoughts, and that I have hoped ngaiust hope that you might reciprocate my affection. One day I have ventured to think thai 1 was not an object of indifference to you ; the ne>t I have seemed furthe' tb»u e"'er fro'.- 1 ? hhe goal of my hopes. Here one stronr man broke anil stretching out hi:: ar:v.s : pleaded in broken accents,

• Sibyl, deai est Sibyl, say thst you will be mine—say at least that there is some hope, that you do not love another,' Poor Eose ! His calm manner at first gave her time to collect her thoughts, and to strive for strength to daeh the cup of happiness from her lips, but his last appeal over-

came her for a moment. Coming straight from his heart, it went straight to hers, and she longed with an almost irresistible long ing to cast herself into his outstretchec a<ms. She covered her face, and trembler with the intensity of her struggle. All unconsciously Sir Percy helped her to decide against himself. Bending over her. he said soothingly, ' I have been rash and hasty, and hav< frightened you. If you will not speak, dearest, look up a moment, and I shall rea« my answer in those sweet truth-Bpeaking eyes. 1 Yes ; that was enough to brace her for the effort she had to make. The face she raised to his was pale and rigid, but her voice was steady. ' Sir Percy, I have tried to prevent your making this avowal. I am sorry to hurt you by telling you that I cannot be your wife, but perhaps it will reconcile you to the pain when you hear that I am utterly unworthy of the honor you offer me,' Then she grew more brave, and rising, she stood erect before him. 'When I tell you that I have been for weeks a guest in Mr Cameron's house under an assumed name, that my life dining that time has been one long falsehood, that I am not Sihyl Montgomery, and am no beiresa, you will agree with me that I am no fit wife forSirP-rcy Lowther ' He stood petrified He could not realise that one whom he had enshrined in his heart as all that was true and noble should be false and an imposter; yet here was her own oon r essi-n ; his idol stood shattered before him, and by its fall had well nigh broken his heart too. tie would have sought an explanation, but Rose had left him. She now heard what she had heard before, to her great relief, Norval's whistle quite close to them, and he found Eose weeping hysterically in Lily's arms.

This he attributed to shame at the confession that she had just made, while Norval and Lily concluded that her agitation was the result of the anxiety she had felt. Rose put herself under Norval's care, while Sir Percy took charge of Lily, and all probably found that they had enough to do to order their steps aright, for there was very littla conversation. In answer to their whistle, the pastor emerged from his place of shelter, and shortly after the party was thus reunited the mist rose, and their way lay clear before them.

Sir Percy took an early opportunity of leaving, pleading his anxiety about letters as his excuse.

He and Rose parted very coldly, and the others began to wonder if any serious misunderstanding had arisen between them. On their return to Glenach, Rose pleaded fatigue, and retired to her room at once, and Mr M'Larty left immediately after dinner.

Norval then took Lily's hand and led her to his mother's chair.

' Dearest mother, you have hitherto spent all your love on me : can you find room in your heart for a daughter who is far more worthy of your affection than I can ever be?'

Mrs Cameron opened her arms, and Lily hid her face in her bosom. Norval bent and received his mother's kiss and blessing, pressed his lips to Lily's bowed head, and said, ' I have business that must be attended to, although I feel a little jealous of leaving my Lily even with you, mother.' Lily sat on a stool at Mrs Cameron's feet, and leant her cheek on her knee. • Dear Mrs Cameron, I feel that I have no right to receive your caresses while I keep from you a secret that affects Rose and me ; but our tongues are tied till to-morrow, when you and Norval will know all.' 'My tongue is not tied from guessing, is it, sweet one? Is not this mighty s oiet that you and Rose are two wicked little impostors, who have cheated us and abused our confidence ever since you came to the house ?'

Lily caught her hand and pressed it to her lips. ' Dear Mrs Cameron, it is such a relief that you know and are not angry. We have been dreading to-morrow, when you and Norval would know what we have done. Do you think he will forgive us?' 'I think he can hardly resist two such pleaders ; and if you like 1 will undertake the task of explaining the matter.' Lily had not much to tell Mrs Cameron that her sharp eyes had not already discovered, and she hastened to tell Rose the news. Chapter V. On the morning of Lily's birthday Rose went ouc early, that she might be alone. She chose the path to the river, and took her stand on an isolated rock that overhung a deep pool. In the turbulent, brawling, restless, struggling stream she found some sympathy with her mood. She thought bitterly of the doom she had pronounced upon herself of separation from Sir Percy; and while she felt the pain of her own wounded heart, a feeling of compunction rose in her mind for the way in which she had encouraged Mr M Larty's attentions, notwithstanding her conviction that the minister had as strong a love of the goods with which he thought she would endow him as of herself, and she resolved henceforth to be more circumspect. Good resolutions are excellent things in their proper time and place, but they may come too late to be available. Rose's sins continued to find her out ; she had sown the wind, and the whirlwind was approaching her in the form of the sleek divine.

It is no ordinary business that has brought him out this morning ; he is armed at all points for conquest. His coat shines as it hangs in folds from his sloping shoulders, his tall hat shines with recent ironing, his hair shines as if newly anointed, and his facie shines with Sunday lustre, for the day is warm, and he has walked with 110 lHggard sstep. He was on his way to Glenach, to call on Miss Montgomery to tell her —well, in fact, to tell ber that he meant to make her his wife. But Fortune favors the brave, and his heart thumped against his new clerical waistcoat when he saw his beloved, and realised the advantage that her romantic aurroundiugs would give him in declaring his intenti'.'pe. But, ahis, una-') ooly pi -, > poses ! While he paused to give some final touches to hi? toilet, Rose turned round. It was a trying moment for her, and tested tb< strength of her newly-formed good resolu tious to preserve a becoming gravity. Never did luckless wight present a mort undignified appearance to the lady of his love He had taken off his hat and placed it bt tween his knees, to leave his hands free. L one hand he helot a handkerchief, with

which he mopped his face, and in the other a pocket-comb, with which to arrange his flossy locks. But he was not abashed, lastily disposing of comb and handkerchief, ie r* leased his hat, and resumed the upright position to which his manhood entitled him. He approached R ose with a smirk of pleasure, which had a dash of patronage n it.

Instinctively Eose comprehended the situation, and seeing that escape was impossible, resolved to keep the advantage that her almost insular position on the rock gave her. ' Good morning, Miss Montgomery. I was on the way to the hous.; when [ caught sight of your form, adding beauty to this charming scene.' 'Mrs Cameron is at home, and will be glad to3ee you.' ' But it was not to see Mrs Cameron I was going,' he said, with an insinuating smile.

' Oh, Mr Cameron is on the opposite side of the river; if you cross the bridge you will be sure to see him.'

And Rose looked round in vain for help. No happy lovers could have desired more perf'-ct solitude. ' It was to see you I was going, said Mr M'Larty. 'to tell you. dear Sibyl, that I love you, and tha f . I 'ong for the time when I can transplant my beautiful Ru.-e ro the man«e, to tend her and make her my chiefest j°y«' This speech had been carefully prepared over night, and was most effectively delivered.

Kose was silent a minute, considering how she should make her rejectiou less painful. But Mr M'Larty put an entirely different construction on her silence, and hastened forward to clasp his treasure to his heart. (To he continued.)