He contented himself with wandering, day after day around the widow's
dwelling, in the hope of catching a passing glance of the object of his
idolatry, without incurring the danger of a personal interview, which
might lead to an indiscreet avowal of the passion which consumed him,
and place him in the power of his fair enslaver. He hovered around her
path, and at church disturbed her devotions by never removing his eyes
from her face; but the tale of his love remained untold, and was
scarcely acknowledged even to himself.

This was the happiest period of Mark Hurdlestone's life. His passion for
Elinor Wildegrave, though selfish and unrefined, was deep and sincere.
He contemplated the beautiful and friendless girl, as in after years he
viewed the gold in his coffers, as a secret treasure hid from the world,
and only known to him.

From this dream he was at length aroused, by the sudden and unexpected
appearance of his brother Algernon at the Hall. With quivering lips he
congratulated him upon his return to his native land; exchanging with
cold and nerveless grasp the warm pressure of his brother's hand, while
he contemplated with envy and alarm the elegant person of the returned
prodigal. From a boy, he had never loved Algernon; coveting with
unnatural greed the property which would accrue to him, should it please
Heaven to provide for his twin brother by taking him to itself. But when
that brother stood before him in the pride and glory of manhood; with
health glowing on his cheek, and beauty on his brow, he could scarcely
conceal his envy; for he beheld in him a formidable, and, if seen by
Elinor, in all probability a successful rival. Hatred took possession of
his breast, and while he pronounced with his lips a chilling welcome,
his mind, active in malice, had already planned his ruin. In the first
joyous moments of return, and while describing to his delighted mother