my name; and that I could assert no right over it; and the rest of the sentence relating to details more interesting to the lawyers than the readers of my history, I here omit. Aurora left the hall of justice in a sort of triumph, escorted to her asylum by the crowd, loud in its praises of the touching sacrifice she had made to her maternal feelings. Such was the result of this celebrated trial, during the progress of which I was ill at ease. Obliged to remain concealed, I took advantage of my person being unknown, to mingle with the crowd, feeling secure that no one would recognize, in a handsome, well-dressed man, with the manners and appearance of a gentleman, the poor bellowsmender, whom they so much abused. I even forced myself to join in the laugh, when they made amusing and ridiculous remarks upon my marriage and absence; though I felt humbled to observe that even those who were most vehement in declaiming against what they called my infamy, were equally lavish in their jests and sarcasms at the expense of Aurora. My own wishes, confirmed by the advice of my friends, determined me to quit Lyons, and transfer my funds to some other city, where my name and history were unknown. I made choice of Paris, which, from its size and population, would enable me to escape all observation, and there I could employ my capital to greater advantage. Here your friend, the poor bellows-mender, with one hundred thousand francs, and the credit of his kind benefactors at Lyons, established a commercial house, which succeeded beyond his utmost hopes; and for five years, I was the favorite of fortune, although my conscience bears me witness, that I have no cause to blush for a single transaction during that time.

My correspondence with Lyons was very extensive; and upon one occasion, I was so happy as to be able to render an essential service to one of the first bankers of that city. His gratitude induced him to urge me strongly to pay him a visit; and at last I consented to do so, actuated by an irrepressible desire to breathe again the same air with my beloved Aurora. I went with my own equipage and servants, in the best style; and this time my luxury was not borrowed, but being the fruits of my own industry, I felt happy, and secure of its duration.

Even my old friends, the engravers, scarcely recognized me; so that I had nothing to fear from casual acquaintances. Without appearing to evince too great an interest in the subject, I spoke of the celebrated trial which had caused so much excitement throughout the city, five years before, and made some inquiries about Aurora and her family, as if it were a mere matter of curiosity. I learned that her father died some years before, leaving his affairs in so bad a condition, that Aurora was almost penniless, and indeed in some degree dependent upon the kindness of the abbess, with whom she still remained. I was told, at the same time, that independently of the general interest she had inspired, her conduct had been such as to win the respect and admiration of every one. They observed, also, that the bellows-mender had never disturbed her tranquillity, or attempted to reclaim the rights of which he had been deprived.

I could not listen to this recital, without the deepest emotion. During my four years' residence in the capital, my thoughts had been incessantly occupied in efforts to acquire a fortune, in the hope of re

gaining the sole object of my labors. But my return to Lyons, and the unfeigned admiration of all who spoke of Aurora, revived with increased strength the love which I had never ceased to cherish for her. The form of my adored wife was for ever present to me, and I felt how utterly worthless would be the fortune I had so labored to acquire, should she refuse to share it with me. And my child! alas! was I never to strain him to my heart? Never to enjoy his infantine caresses, or to experience those paternal feelings, which imagination pictured to me in such glowing colors? I could bear this suspense no longer, but resolved that nothing should prevent me from meeting my wife and my son.

At my desire, one of the engravers assembled all her father's creditors, whom I immediately paid, and at the same time exerted myself to recover many things which I knew long habit had made dear to his daughter, and the loss of which I was sure she must regret. My friend the banker had spoken so handsomely of her, and was himself so generally esteemed, that I determined to make him my confidant, and induce him to aid me in my project; for I knew his name alone would diminish many of my difficulties. He possessed a beautiful villa upon the borders of the Rhone, to which I accompanied him; and having one day obtained from him a promise of secresy, I spoke thus:

Hitherto, you have known me only as a merchant, who is indebted to his talents, industry, and probity, for fortune, and an honorable name. My wayward fate has obliged me to appear under a kind of mask to those whose esteem I most fondly covet. Formerly, I deceived my mistress; but let me no longer impose upon you, my friend, who already know one half of my history. Listen, now, to the rest. You see before you that unfortunate bellows-mender, chosen by a set of thoughtless young men, as the instrument of their revenge.'

At this unexpected avowal, my friend started with surprise, and incredulity and doubt were expressed in his countenance. But I continued:

'I am indebted to nature for many faculties, which study and education have more fully developed. The generosity of my friends, and successful fortune, have achieved the rest. You have spoken kindly of Aurora. It is my intention soon to leave Lyons; but I solemnly declare to you, I will not depart without an effort to see her. Will you, my dear friend, who enjoy the esteem and consideration of all who know you, will you consent to be our mediator, and let me owe to you the happiness of my life?'

Recovering from his astonishment, he assured me he did not doubt being able to bring about the reconciliation I so ardently desired. The Abbess of the convent in which your wife resides,' said he, 'honors me with her friendship: we are not far from the city; let us at once order our carriage, and seek Aurora; when, I trust, we shall be able to remove all difficulties.' I eagerly agreed to this plan, for I was now as anxious to see her, as I had once been to avoid her; and I ardently desired to embrace my son.

We reached the convent, where the banker was announced under his true name, and introduced me as one of the first merchants of Paris. We were admitted. What a picture presented itself to our

eyes! Aurora, my beloved wife, more beautiful than ever, was seated near the venerable Abbess. A child, the personification of infantine loveliness, slept upon her knee, and appeared to absorb the attention of the mother so entirely, that she scarcely noticed our respectful salutation. The first moment she cast her eyes upon me, I perceived, by an involuntary shudder, that my appearance recalled to her mind some painful idea; but my being introduced by a man whom she knew, presented as the head of one of the first commercial houses in Paris, with the obscurity of the approaching evening, contributed to dissipate her suspicions; and she was far from recognizing in the rich stranger her despised and long-neglected husband. My friend opened the conversation by some vague remarks upon my approaching departure from Lyons. He spoke of the extent of my connections; and inquired of the Abbess if she had not some commission to charge me with, for the capital.

During this conversation, the child awoke, and instead of being alarmed at the sight of strangers, smiled gaily, and after gazing at us both for some time, in uncertainty ran toward me. Oh, my friend! you may imagine what were my feelings, when I first received the sweet caresses of my child! I covered his little face with kisses. I could restrain myself no longer; but seizing him in my arms, I threw myself at the feet of my wife: Aurora Aurora! I exclaimed, 'behold your child!' Your son pleads for his father! Will you for ever suffer pride to triumph over affection?' While I pronounced these words, in a deeply agitated voice, Aurora, taken by surprise, seemed ready to swoon. She gazed alternately upon me and my son, who clasped her knees, as if to implore pardon for his father. At length, she burst into tears; at which, the child, not being able to comprehend the reason of his mother's emotion, mingled his plaintive cries with my entreaties. Aurora replied by throwing herself into my arms: 'I know not,' she said, 'whether you seek again to deceive me; but your child pleads too strongly in your favor: henceforth, I am yours for ever!'

She pressed me to her heart, and for some moments we were incapable of uttering a word. Our happiness, the caresses of our child, the tears of my friend, and the solemn influences of the place, all served to increase our emotion. My children,' said the Abbess, gazing upon us with an eye glistening with sensibility, you will, I trust, each fulfil your duty. Mr. — is too sincere to prove a traitor; and maternal love is too powerful in the bosom of Aurora, to suffer her again to become the victim of a foolish pride! May this union, so touchingly renewed in my presence, be more happy than the first; and may you long enjoy that felicity which virtue alone can give !'

These words, pronounced in a grave and solemn tone, calmed our excited feelings; and I proceeded to recount my adventures, neither omitting my faults, nor the remorse which they had occasioned. And I remarked with delight, that the hand of Aurora often gently pressed mine, whenever I spoke of the projects that my love for her had inspired; although she appeared to listen with indifference, when I dwelt upon the riches I had acquired. The part of the narrative which touched her most sensibly, was the payment of her father's debts, and my successful endeavors to rescue from the hands of the

creditors the articles which had been dear to her from her childhood. My friend celebrated our reunion by a brilliant fête. Near to his house was one which, although not large, was delightfully situated; and believing, from an accidental expression, that it would be agreeable to Aurora, I immediately purchased it in her name; and in twenty-four hours, placed in her hands the deed which made her its mistress.

I returned to Paris with my wife and son. Whether it was that she still retained some of her former pride, or whether it arose from true greatness of soul, I know not; but she showed no surprise when introduced into a large and handsome house, furnished with much taste and magnificence. But I knew that adversity had had a happy influence upon her character; and I felt satisfied that I was beloved by the object of all my tenderness and affection.

A year had thus passed away in perfect happiness, when one morning Aurora entered my study, her eyes sparkling with pleasure : My dear friend,' said she, you must not refuse an invitation from your wife. I am going to give you a dinner-party in my house at Lyons; but you must allow me to precede you with my son. I wish to teach him to do the honors of the house to his father.

I failed not to arrive at the appointed hour, on the day of the fête. Aurora, who had surpassed even the wonted elegance of her toilet, was brilliant with beauty and gaiety; and dinner was soon announced: but judge of my surprise, when, taking me by the hand, and conducting me to an apartment decorated in the most tasteful manner, I beheld there my ten old friends, the engravers; my first protectors, the authors of my fortune; of my marriage, and of my present happiness. I cannot describe the sensations I experienced, during this repast, in which the sprightliness and good humor of my charming wife inspired all our guests with gaiety and enjoyment. After dinner, she led us into the room she had arranged for me, and touching a slight spring, a curtain was withdrawn, and discovered two pictures, beautifully executed. We drew near to examine them, and an exclamation of surprise and admiration burst from all of our lips. One of the pictures represented the scene at my father's hut, near Montélimart. I was upon my knees before Aurora, who repulsed me with disdain, at the same time throwing a look of contempt upon the engraver, who acted as coachman. Below was written: Love conquered by Pride.' The second represented the scene of the present day; my ten friends at table, and Aurora placed between her happy husband and the engraver whom she had refused, smiling complacently upon both. Beneath it was written: Pride conquered by Love.'

Here ends my history, or at least my adventures; for it is easier for me to feel my happiness, than to describe it. I became the happy father of three other children; and Aurora insisted that the engraver who had addressed her should stand godfather to the eldest. This estimable man is united to a charming woman, now well known throughout Lyons for the care she has bestowed upon the education of an only daughter. Aurora assures me it is her earnest wish to have this young person for her daughter-in-law; and what is more singular still, my son declares it would constitute his greatest happiness, if this wish could be fulfilled.

WILD was the night; fast flew the hurrying cloud,
Mantling the heavens with many-folded shroud;
The baffled moon kept struggling, though in vain,
Through the rent gloom to smile upon the plain.
Out stood the cliffs, still blacker than the sky,
Whence rushing, tumbling, foaming from on high,
PASSAIC, driven with impetuous sweep,
Sprang with a scream of horror down the steep;
And in the depths of sternly-girdling rock,
Muttered deep groans of anguish at the shock:
To whose lament, the snarling winds on high
Yell back their surly howlings in reply:
And not a voice disturbed the air, beside
That clamorous quarrel of the wind and tide;
Whose loud dispute for wranglers never spare
With ceaseless brawling tires the sleepy air.
Dark, savage scene-wild as a murderer's dream
Which to the moon's dim-gazing eye might seem
Like a sick beast, that, fretting as it lay,

Growled, frowned, and fumed the sullen night away.

Now from the west upheaves a denser gloom;
Red lightnings gleam, and coming thunders boom
Portentous: starts the sleeper in his bed,
Blessing the shelter that protects his head;
And mourns the hapless traveller's piteous plight,
Who bears the tyrannous fury of the night.
Bursts the big cloud, the gushing deluge pours,
That ev'n the cataract outrains and roars:
When lo! a flash, and quick successive shock
Quivers and thunders; high upon a rock,
Lit by the lightning's momentary blink,
A human form sits dangling o'er the brink!
And by his side lo! darkly crouching there,
A red-eyed monster, black, with shaggy hair!

Oh! who is watching at this awful hour?
What murderer hides him from law's iron power?
What unchained madman shows his daring form,
Or madder poet, amorous of the storm?
The glancing moonlight, as the clouds roll by,
Reveals the startling phantom to the eye.
His dress and mien a lowly man display,
Whom fortune owes much, but neglects to pay:
Yet his fixed lip shows firmness not to blench;
His eye, a fire no cataracts can quench.

BYRON.