“Who,” cried she eagerly, “is that fearful man? What is his business? What his name?” “He is a man whom I knew well some fourteen years ago,” replied Aram coldly, and with ease; “I did not then lead quite so lonely a life, and we were thrown much together. Since that time, he has been in unfortunate circumstances--rejoined the army--he was in early life a soldier, and had been disbanded--entered into business, and failed; in short, he has partaken of those vicissitudes inseparable from the life of one driven to seek the world. When he travelled this road some months ago, he accidentally heard of my residence in the neighbourhood, and naturally sought me. Poor as I am, I was of some assistance to him. His route brings him hither again, and he again seeks me: I suppose too that I must again aid him.” “And is that indeed all,” said Madeline, breathing more freely; “well, poor man, if he be your friend, he must be inoffensive--I have done him wrong. And does he want money? I have some to give him--here Eugene!” And the simple-hearted girl put her purse into Aram’s hand. “No, dearest,” said he, shrinking back; “no, we shall not require your contribution; I can easily spare him enough for the present. But let us turn back, it grows chill.” “And why did he leave us, Eugene?” “Because I desired him to visit me at home an hour hence.” “An hour! then you will not sup with us to-night?” “No, not this night, dearest.” The conversation now ceased; Madeline in vain endeavoured to renew it. Aram, though without relapsing into any of his absorbed reveries, answered her only in monosyllables. They arrived at the Manor-house, and Aram at the garden gate took leave of her for the night, and hastened backward towards his home. Madeline, after watching his form through the deepening shadows until it disappeared, entered the house with a listless step; a nameless and thrilling presentiment crept to her heart; and she could have sate down and wept, though without a cause. CHAPTER II. THE INTERVIEW BETWEEN ARAM AND THE STRANGER. The spirits I have raised abandon me, The spells which I have studied baffle me. --Manfred. Meanwhile Aram strode rapidly through the village, and not till he had regained the solitary valley did he relax his step.