Terrified at the haggard looks, and lifeless form before her, Calantha turned to Glenarvon. But his countenance was changed; his eyes were fixed. “It is herself,” he cried; and unable to bear the sight, a faintness came over him:—the name of Alice was pronounced by him. O’Kelly understood his master. “Is it possible,” he exclaimed, and seizing the girl in his arms, he promised Calantha to do all in his power to restore her, and only implored her to retire to her own apartment: “For my master’s sake, dear Lady, be persuaded,” he said. He was indeed no longer the same subservient strange being, he had shewn himself hitherto; he seemed to assume a new character, on an occasion which called for his utmost exertion; he was all activity and forethought, commanding every thing that was to be done, and awakening lord Glenarvon and Calantha to a sense of their situation. Although Lady Avondale was at last persuaded to retire, it may be supposed that she did not attempt to rest; and being obliged in some measure to inform her attendant of what had passed, she sent her frequently with messages to O’Kelly to inquire concerning her unhappy friend. At last she returned with a few lines, written by lord Glenarvon. “Calantha,” he said, “You will now learn to shudder at my name, and look upon me with horror and execration. Prepare yourself for the worst:—It is Alice whom we beheld. She came to take one last look at the wretch who had seduced, and then abandoned her:—She is no more. Think not, that to screen myself, I have lost the means of preserving her.—Think me not base enough for this; but be assured that all care and assistance have been administered. The aid of the physician, however has been vain. Calm yourself Calantha: I am very calm.” The maid, as she gave this note, told Calantha that the young woman whom Mr. O’Kelly, had discovered at the door of the castle, was poor Miss Alice—so altered, that her own father, she was sure would not know her. “Did you see her?” “O yes, my Lady: Mr. O’Kelly took me to see her, when I carried the message to him: and there I saw my Lord Glenarvon so good, so kind, doing every thing that was needed to assist her, so that it would have moved the heart of any one to have seen him.” While the attendant thus continued to talk, her young mistress wept, and having at length dismissed her, she opened the door, listening with suspense to every distant noise.