Hastings pulled his cap over his brow, and stood a moment as if in
reflection; he then said, "Show me the way; thou art right. It is due
to her and to thee; and as by this hour to-morrow my soul may stand
before the Judgment-seat, that poor child's pardon may take one sin
from the large account."




CHAPTER II.

SHARP IS THE KISS OF THE FALCON'S BEAR.

Hastings stood in the presence of the girl to whom he had pledged his
truth. They were alone; but in the next chamber might be heard the
peculiar sound made by the mechanism of the Eureka. Happy and
lifeless mechanism, which moves, and toils, and strives on, to change
the destiny of millions, but hath neither ear nor eye, nor sense nor
heart,--the avenues of pain to man! She had--yes, literally--she had
recognized her lover's step upon the stair, she had awakened at once
from that dull and icy lethargy with which the words of Alwyn had
chained life and soul. She sprang forward as Hastings entered; she
threw herself in delirious joy upon his bosom. "Thou art come, thou
art! It is not true, not true. Heaven bless thee! thou art come!"
But sudden as the movement was the recoil. Drawing herself back, she
gazed steadily on his face, and said, "Lord Hastings, they tell me thy
hand is another's. Is it true?"

"Hear me!" answered the nobleman. "When first I--"