The only wish that he cherished was a feverish and gloomy desire to leave the scene which witnessed the triumph of his rival.

Every thing around had become hateful to his eyes, and a curse had lighted upon the face of Home.

He thought now, with a bitter satisfaction, that his escape was at hand: in a few days he might be rid of the gall and the pang, which every moment of his stay at Grassdale inflicted upon him.

The sweet voice of Madeline he should hear no more, subduing its silver sound for his rival's ear:--no more he should watch apart, and himself unheeded, how timidly her glance roved in search of another, or how vividly her cheek flushed when the step of that happier one approached.

Many miles would at least shut out this picture from his view; and in absence, was it not possible that he might teach himself to forget?
Thus meditating, he arrived at the banks of the little brooklet, and was awakened from his reverie by the sound of his own name.