* * * * * It was in the Spring of ——, two years after the events related above, that, with a party of friends, I visited the city of ——. The morning after my arrival, the servant brought me up a card, and said a gentleman was waiting in the drawing-room to see me. I read the name—it was “Arthur Noel, U. S. Navy.” I started, and almost fainted. _That_ name! how vividly it recalled the past. Eva, my never-forgotten friend, stood again before me in all her pride of beauty, and then—I shuddered, and dared not end my reflection. A hope, however, soon rose in my breast that Arthur might bring me cheering news; and with a lighter heart I descended the stairs. I had never seen Mr. Noel, but Evelyn had often described him to me; and I expected to see a very handsome man. What was my astonishment, therefore, when I entered the room, to behold a tall, pale, haggard-looking man, with a countenance so sad, that I almost trembled as I looked at him. “Miss M——, I presume,” said he. I bowed, and requested him to be seated. “I arrived here this morning,” continued he, “from Norfolk, and seeing your name upon the register, have taken the liberty to call and ask a great favor of you.” He paused, and seemed to be endeavoring to suppress some violent emotion. He then resumed, in a faltering tone, “You were Evelyn Grahame’s dear friend.” “Oh, yes!” I exclaimed, “what of Evelyn—how is she—where is she?” His voice was stern, as he replied, “she is still what my baseness made her. Where she is, I will show you, if you will go with me. I must go—but I cannot go alone.” I rang the bell, sent for my hat and shawl, and we went out together. I could not help shuddering, as I saw that my companion led the way to the Lunatic Asylum. As we walked along, I ventured to ask after his wife. “She is dead,” said he; “she died in giving birth to a little girl, whom I have named Evelyn. Oh! Miss M——, if Eva could only be restored! It is the harrowing thought of my conduct toward her, that has made me what I am—a gloomy, forlorn man. I shun mankind, and feel unworthy to look my little daughter in the face. But the physician who attends dear Eva, has given me a hope that the sight of me might cause a reaction, which would give a favorable termination to her malady. Your presence at the same time may assist this.” “God grant it!” I fervently ejaculated; and at that moment we entered the court-yard of the Asylum. The matron met us at the door, and Arthur, having given her a note from Dr. ——, she immediately led us to Eva’s apartment. “She is asleep now,” said the good woman, “but you can go in, and wait until she awakes; she is perfectly gentle, and will give you no trouble.”