part as well! I would die a thousand deaths for you! I shall have no happiness out of your sight; oh! don't blame me-don't blame me; and don't forget me when I am gone!"

"Gone!"

"Yes, Gardy!-let me tell you now, at once, while I can ;-I am going,-I must go. An appointment—a very remunerative one while I choose to retain it has been obtained for me, through the aid of my father's old friend,-in Australia. I have already quitted my old quarters at Leith, and taken final leave of my recent employers. I sail on the 15th. I have everything to do and to get, and not half time enough to do it in:" "I will

come back, you know," he added, quickly, as he saw the blank desolation of her countenance. "Oh! Gardy, you know I

will come back: You know I could not

live always, or long, without seeing you; but...." (and here his voice broke down again, quite, and the tears streamed from his eyes as he finished) "but, Gardy. . . . I must leave you to-day;-and I shall not be able to return here again before I sail : -I must go now!-Don't speak to me. about it all, Gardy darling-my owndon't speak! I could not bear it ;-don't unnerve me more. Only bless me, and kiss me,

and let me go

ין

As he said the words, he rose; but he did not look at her-He dare not!

Agnes pressed her hand to her heart. It beat frightfully. He need not have told her not to argue with him, not to question, not to dissuade. She could do neither she could scarcely breathe. The

suddenness of the shock bewildered-paralysed her.

In a minute or two, however,-rising

also she laid her trembling hands on his head. "Bless you, Walter," at last she

whispered. Then she paused.

"Write," she whispered again each word falling slowly and with difficulty from her quivering lips.

"Yes, yes," said Walter, hurriedly;—"Oh God! that this must be !-Agnes!...." (it was the first time he had ever thus called her)-"Don't forget the dear old times!"

She held out her arms towards him. He folded his about her, and strained her to his heart. Long, long he kept her there; and while he did, their tears and sighs and kisses mingled, as they had never mingled, even through all those many,

many years of confidence and love. They felt their hearts beating against each other: Each would have willingly died that moment, rather than part then and thus. But the hour had come!

Walter perceived her limbs failing beneath her with the excess of her emotion. He felt within himself he had stayed long enough-too long perhaps. So, placing her gently, unresistingly, on the seat from which she had but now risen; and murmuring" God preserve and bless you ever;" he stole away, without trusting himself to look back.

CHAPTER IV.

IN the hurry of this hasty and, to Agnes, unexpected parting, Walter had omitted

to tell her where he would be in London while making his preparations for departure-the name or address, in town, of those for whom he was now going to actthe name of the ship he was to sail inwhat port it was to sail from-or any other such details. Strange as it may seem, therefore, she literally knew not where to find him, or where any letter would find