which was designed upon the other; it gradually became less painful
and more interesting; the lattice window was never closed, nor was the
leathern easy-chair which stood next to it ever empty, when the usual
hour of the Baronet's momentary visit approached. At length the
expectation of that passing minute became the pivot upon which the
thoughts of poor Bridgenorth turned during all the rest of the day.
Most men have known the influence of such brief but ruling moments at
some period of their lives. The moment when a lover passes the window
of his mistress--the moment when the epicure hears the dinner-bell,--
is that into which is crowded the whole interest of the day; the hours
which precede it are spent in anticipation; the hours which follow, in
reflection on what has passed; and fancy dwelling on each brief
circumstance, gives to seconds the duration of minutes, to minutes
that of hours. Thus seated in his lonely chair, Bridgenorth could
catch at a distance the stately step of Sir Geoffrey, or the heavy
tramp of his war-horse, Black Hastings, which had borne him in many an
action; he could hear the hum of "The King shall enjoy his own again,"
or the habitual whistle of "Cuckolds and Roundheads," die unto
reverential silence, as the Knight approached the mansion of
affliction; and then came the strong hale voice of the huntsman
soldier with its usual greeting.

By degrees the communication became something more protracted, as
Major Bridgenorth's grief, like all human feelings, lost its
overwhelming violence, and permitted him to attend, in some degree, to
what passed around him, to discharge various duties which pressed upon
him, and to give a share of attention to the situation of the country,
distracted as it was by the contending factions, whose strife only
terminated in the Restoration. Still, however, though slowly
recovering from the effects of the shock which he had sustained, Major