classic writers, his daring mind stored with philosophy, guiding her
wild imagination, her gentle goodness beguiling his holder thoughts into
the paths of virtue. O, it was blissful thus to mingle their day-dreams,
encircling themselves in rainbows of hope and stars lit by each other's
eyes, all breathing upon them beauty and blessings. May had already
wreathed the unknown fireman in all the attributes of virtue and of
manliness; happy was she to find them realized in Marion. And he, when
sitting in the shadows of the old marble pile, gazing up at the
brilliant sky, had pictured a being beautiful and good, whose soul could
comprehend the yearnings of his own, and this he found in May. Thus
their two souls grew together, until their thoughts, their hopes, their
very lives seemed one.

When Marion Sherwood requested of Mr. Edgerton the hand of his daughter,
and learned that she was not free, at least until she had met a certain
gentleman who was every day expected, his soul recoiled with a sudden
sting; he had so leaned upon this staff of happiness, and now it bent
like a fragile reed. May laughed in scorn that she should prefer any one
to Marion, but he learned that the stranger was talented, handsome,
wealthy, everything that a lady would desire in her favored suitor. If
he did not release her, she was not free, and could he be adamant to the
captivating charms of guileless, spiritual, beautiful May!

Scarcely had a day passed after Marion--whom May and her father knew
only as one of Nature's noblemen--had learned this wretched news which
sank into his heart like a poisoned dagger, when the vessel arrived
which bore Walter Cunningham, his mother and step-father from France. A
few miserable days passed--miserable they were to May and Marion, and
the evening was appointed when Cunningham and his parents should call at
the alderman's and May's fate, in part, at least, be decided. Marion