feelings; home, parent, kindred, she was leaving all, even the place of her nativity, and future prospects of enjoyments she had none. Many fervent but secret prayers were breathed, grateful praises for past mercies were hymned in her heart; she had escaped the wretch who would have destroyed her, and she determined unknown to alleviate, as far as she was permitted, the distresses of her deliverer.

It had been in the first instance proposed to send the men by the canal to Ostend, and from thence to coast it along shore, but this mode was deemed so precarious, and raised so many objections that it was abandoned, and as many seamen had been collected at the small seaports near their route, it was determined to march by land accumulating as they proceeded.

Jeanette remained in perfect possession of liberty, her youth and her pleasing manners won upon the rugged dispositions of the soldiers, and she contrived by several little acts of attention to secure the favour of the officer in command. The first night's halt afforded them but short time for rest, and even that was on the floor of a dirty building, in a dilapidated state, that had been used for temporary barracks, without even straw to lay upon or food to eat, and many were the aching hearts that were bowed down beneath the pressure of affliction ; that of Pierre Durand was almost bursting. The freedom enjoyed by Jeanette was not abridged upon the halt, and as she was supplied with rations her best endeavours were employed to get some portion to her lover, but this she found to be impracticable, for though availing herself of opportunity afforded to traverse the building, yet nowhere could she discover Pierre, for he had shrunk into an obscure corner by himself, to indulge in secret the anguish of his soul. After many ineffectual efforts to find him, Jeanette desisted, and sitting down apart from the rest she gave free course to her tears. At length the idea struck her that perhaps her lover had eluded the vigilance or obtained the favour of the guard and got away, a short time would solve this, and overpowered with fatigue she sunk into an uneasy slumber.

At day-break on the following morning they were aroused by beat of drum, and being told off into three divisions, the first set out immediately, the second an hour afterwards, and the third an hour after the second. The first tap of the drum had awoke Jeanette, who sprang up, and hurrying into the yard, she watched with intent eagerness the appearance of the prisoners as they severally emerged from the door. Nearly the whole had come forth, but Pierre was not amongst them, and hope beat high in her bosom that her conjecture respecting his escape was correct, and so strongly did this increase, that she could scarcely restrain an exclamation of delight, when all her rising joys

were again thrown down as she beheld him pale, haggard, and miserable, crossing the threshold-he was still a prisoner. Jeanette would gladly have flown to his side, but a sense of the indiscretion of such an action withheld her. Nevertheless, she contrived to get near him and proffered her little store of food. Pierre at first declined it, but a manifestation of kindness is always active in penetrating the recesses of a grateful heart, and Durand experienced it; he raised his drooping head to express his thanks, their eyes met, and strong affection at once revealed the secret which the disguise itself confirmed. Pierre no longer hesitated, he took the ration which had been tendered to him, and Jeanette perceiving she was discovered, pressed his hand and separated from him.

The young seaman was still marshalled in the first division that took its immediate departure, and with it went the seeming lad, anxious to communicate with Pierre respecting her mother, and her mind at times shrinking with alarm from the probable consequences of her own temerity. But Durand bore the marks of punishment, and the guards without giving themselves the trouble to inquire into the causes, only looked upon them as evidences of a refractory spirit, and he was too closely watched to allow of any conversation on points so nearly touching the safety of both yet they could see each other, and notwithstanding that many a bitter pang distressed the young mariner at Jeanette's exposed situation, still he was now convinced of her affection for him-she was near to him on his march, and that in itself was a blessing.

This day a scanty portion of provision was served to the prisoners previous to their setting out, but before night the attentive girl had availed herself of opportunities afforded during their progress, to purchase a few necessaries, and soon after they had halted and darkness began to spread its thick veil over the face of the surrounding objects, she cautiously crept to the side of the delighted Pierre, whose position she had already noticed, and there where no eye but that of heaven could witness it, she was clasped to his heart not a word was spoken-not a whisper was heard for they had near neighbours who might be dangerous-but in silence they shared the refreshment which Jeanette supplied.

The building in which they were immured for the night had been a factory, but in the movements of hostile troops who had alternately occupied it, the walls had been broken through, and roughly built up again, and every part was filthy-some loose straw had been spread, but this gave rise to angry encounters, as many were desirous of scraping together more than the lion's share for themselves, till it was agreed to collect it in one heap, so that as many as could might be accommodated

with at least a soft though somewhat dirty resting place. Pierre took no part in the contest, but he secured a small portion in a lone recess of the room, and there without one unhallowed thought or feeling, Jeanette's head was pillowed on the breast of the young mariner, and now for the first time she heard of the manner in which he had been captured—his last interview with her mother-the torture he had undergone, with other particulars, and though gratified by being thus together, their tears frequently ran down their cheeks mingling in one stream.

Thus, day by day, and night after night they continued in the same course, and though Pierre devised several means of escape, yet when he saw the extreme vigilance of the guards, and the exercise of their determined vengeance upon all who did try to get away, he became convinced of the impossibility of carrying it into effect without endangering a life he loved far dearer than his own. By assuming a nonchalance and a sprightliness she could not feel, Jeanette was left at uncontrolled liberty, and some of the gens d'armes even treated her with kindness; no suspicion appeared to be excited amongst them, and even the prisoners who had witnessed their attachment, placed it to the account of fraternal regard, which they revered too much to betray to those who had them in charge.

At length they reached their place of destination-Brest; and the seamen were sent on board the different ships of the fleet, Durand being drafted to a large frigate under sailing orders for the East Indies. Jeanette had never once contemplated the chances of being separated from Pierre, so totally unacquainted was she with the nature of maritime service, and when the hour of parting came she earnestly entreated permission to accompany him; but her solicitations were disregarded, and in the agony of denial her true character became revealed, so that at the moment when the wretched Pierre was forced away for embarkation, he had the additional anguish of knowing that the maiden he so ardently loved. was left alone among strangers-unfriended and unprotected.

We left Madame Berghaume in her apartment, distracted by the accumulated weight of evils that overpowered her faculties-that apartment she soon quitted for one of a more humble nature to accord with her means-it was but little she had saved from the wreck of their property, nor indeed did the possession of worldly goods seem of much consequence to a mind bereft of all that was precious upon earth-her husband whom she tenderly loved-if he yet lived, a wandering and impoverished outcast-her daughter whose affection had filled her breast with all a mother's fondness, had been torn from her arms by wretches who were utterly insensible to the precious sentiments of mercy or of pity, and she could gain no intelligence of her fate-these things tortured her

spirit, and though prepared to quit her native place, now become the theatre of horrors to her troubled soul, yet she knew not whither to go as a place of refuge, and the fear which constantly haunted her of missing any communication from her husband by removing, bound her to the spot. Months passed away-time was rapidly growing into years, when sitting during the lone and chilling darkness of a winter's evening in the humble apartment which she occupied, some one entered, and by the pale glimmering light of a lamp, she beheld a youth whose mulatto-like complexion and dark hair spoke of warmer climes and sunny skies-he was in plain sailor's attire, and on being addressed, indicated by his actions that he was both deaf and dumb, but placing in her hand a token from her husband she at once comprehended the object of his visit, and procured writing materials for further converse. But the youth shook his head—he was unacquainted with their use, and then commenced a series of signs and motions by which she at length understood that her partner was still living, and anxious for her to join him, though the place was at some distance, and there would be difficulty in getting to it.

The agitated woman paid the utmost attention to every thing; and what was distance, what were difficulties when compared with the rich delight when all would be surmounted, and she should again embrace her husband. This feeling, however, was damped and subdued when she called to remembrance the probable condition of her daughter, and tears-scalding tears forced their eager way down the pale cheeks of the bereaved mother. Still her path of duty was strait before her-obedience to Berghaume's summons she considered of paramount importance, and as Providence had thus far appeared in her behalf, a ray of hope illumined her mind, that perhaps Jeanette-her sweet Jeanette might once more be restored to the longing bosom which had been the pillow of her infancy.

The youth proffered his services to be her guide, and on the following morning they departed by the track-boat for Ostend, where they embarked on board a chasse-maree that was bound along the coast to Cherbourg. But, notwithstanding the inclemency of the season, the vigilance of the British cruisers was too great to allow of any rapid progress-they were driven into Calais, and from thence the anxious wife and her conductor pursued their way by land. Sometimes suspicions would arise in the lady's breast that she might be the victim of deception, but these were soon quelled when she experienced the constant respect and attention of the boy, who, in his way, endeavoured to converse with her on topics that were precious to her soul. By them she ascertained that her husband was under no restraint—that he was in good circumstances, but the lad knew nothing of any daughter, nor had he seen a young female with his master

H

Wearying indeed was their journey-sometimes compelled to pass the whole of a cold frosty night in the open air-seldom obtaining the means of conveyance, and often pinched with hunger-nature would have sunk under such privations but for the future prospect which cheered her up. The money she had saved was secured about her person, and she feared even to let her guide into the knowledge of her possessing it, lest it might prove a temptation too powerful for him to resist. At length after numerous hardships and privations after being imprisoned on the borders of La Vendee as suspicious characters, and held in durance for many months before they were liberated, they reached the department of Charente and a carriage being obtained, it was not long before they arrived on the fertile banks of the Garonne where full summer in its luxuriant fruition was swelling the vineyards with the produce of the (To be concluded next month.)

season.

THE SONG OF THE BROKEN BOUGH.

Ir was a pleasant life of old in the bosom of the wood,
To flourish with my kindred boughs all green with leaf and bud,
Yielding the burning noontide hours a cool and twilight gloom,
Or bowing back our leafy crowns, give the bright heavens room
To smile on the free wild natures all haunting our sylvan clime,
And feel the fragrant welcome given by the green earth in her prime-

O the difference to the broken bough since that delightful time.

What years have pass'd since my germ lay hid in its birth-place still and dark,
Yearning to break its subtle folds and pierce the rugged bark!
The sap in the tree from root to head, and every wind that blew,
The rain, rich largess of the heavens, the balmy evening dew,
And the sun, creation's kindly helps, all furnish'd me with powers
Enough for the wants of rugged strength, enough to nurture flowers
Whose odours, a sweet waste of love, should woo the flying hours.

When the eldest spirit of the year brought comfort to the land,
And the squirrel and the dormouse broke from Winter's frosty hand,
Unfolding wide my leafy fans, and blossoms white as snow,

I cast the old year's withered leaves among the weeds below,
And soon grew dark and proof against the fervent Summer heat,

A shelter for the hatching bird, the fainting doe's retreat,

And a shade where the languid pilgrim lov'd to cool his burning feet.

When Autumn came, and his weird touch shook the mellow fruitage down,
And the high-heap'd wain rock'd to and fro in the harvest rich and brown,
A splendour fell upon us all, it was gorgeous to behold

The tame green pass from the fiery hues of purple and of gold,

But our beauty waned when the leaves were toss'd in stormy eddies round,
Or loosening in the breathless air with a low complaining sound,
Dropped one by one reluctantly, and slowly reach'd the ground.