"Yes; he is in that hut. I saw him climb the rocks and enter it, and close the door. But, for Heaven's sake! compose yourself, my dear. You are shaking as with an ague, and your hands are cold as ice," said Clarence. "In that hut, did you say? So near? So near?" "Yes, dear Cora; but be calm." "Take me there! Take me there! Oh, give me your arm, Uncle Clarence, and help me. My limbs fail now, when I need them more than ever before. Ah! and my heart fails, too!" she moaned, growing suddenly pale and fainter as she leaned heavily against her uncle. "Cora, darling! Cora, rouse yourself, my girl! This weakness is not like you. Take courage; all will be well," said Mr. Clarence, caressingly, laying his hand on her head. She sighed heavily as she asked: "How will he receive me? Oh, how will he receive me? Will he have me now? But he must! Oh, he must! For I will never, never, never go down this mountain side again without him! I will perish on its rocks sooner! Oh, come, come! Help me to reach that hut, Clarence." There was no resisting her wild and passionate appeal. Clarence put his arm around her waist, to sustain her more effectually, as he said: "Now lean on me, Cora, and step carefully, for the path is almost hidden, and very rugged." "Oh, Clarence, did he recognize me? did he, Clarence? did he?" she eagerly inquired. "Yes, Cora, he did," gravely answered the young uncle. "And turned and went away! And turned and went away! Went away and left me without one word!" she wailed, in doubt and distress. "Cora, my dear, pray control yourself," said Clarence, uneasily. "Did he speak to you?" she suddenly inquired. "Not one word." "Did you speak to him?" "No; for he was gone in an instant, before I recovered from my astonishment at his appearance." "How did he look?--how did he look when he recognized me? In anger?" "No, Corona; but in much sorrow, pity, and tenderness," gravely replied Clarence. "Then, why did he leave me? Oh, why did he turn away from me?" "My dear, he had every reason to think that his sudden appearance had frightened you, and that his presence grieved and distressed you." "Why, oh, why should he have thought so?" she demanded, with increasing agitation. "My dear girl, you were frightened. I might say appalled. You saw him suddenly, and with a half-smothered scream threw your hands to your eyes as if to shut out the sight, and then sank to the ground. Now what could the man think but that you feared and hated the sight of him?" "Just as he thought before! Just as he thought before!" "And he turned sorrowfully away and walked up to his cabin on the mount, entered, and shut the door. I saw him do it." "Just as he did before! Just as he did before! Oh, Rule! what a fatality! That appearances should always be false and disastrous between us!" she moaned.