Edward's nature was very impetuous, but perfectly generous. The tempest of anger allayed, he considered all that Lady Lodore had said impartially; and while he felt that she had only repeated what he had told himself a thousand times, he resolved not to permit resentment to controul him, and to turn him from the right path. He felt also, that he ought no longer to delay acting on his good resolutions. His intercourse with Miss Fitzhenry had begun to attract attention, and must therefore cease. Once again he would ride over to Richmond--once again see her--say farewell, and then stoically banish every pleasant dream--every heart-enthralling hope--willingly sacrificing his dearest wishes at the shrine of her welfare. CHAPTER VIII She to a window came, that opened west, Towards which coast her love his way addrest, There looking forth, she in her heart did find Many vain fancies working her unrest, And sent her winged thoughts more swift than wind To bear unto her love the message of her mind. THE FAERIE QUEEN. Ethel, happy in her seclusion, was wholly unaware of her mother's interference and its effects. She had not the remotest suspicion that it would be considered as conducive to her welfare to banish the only friend that she had in the world. In her solitary position, life was a blank without Edward; and while she congratulated herself on her good fortune in the concurrence of circumstances that had brought them together, and, as she believed, established her happiness on the dearest and most secure foundations, she was far from imagining that he was perpetually revolving the necessity of bidding her adieu for ever. If she had been told two years before, that all intercourse between her and her father were to cease, it would scarcely have seemed more unnatural or impossible, than that such a decree should be issued to divide her from one to whom her young heart was entirely given. She relied on him as the support of her life--her guide and protector--she loved him as the giver of good to her--she almost worshipped him for the many virtues, which he either really possessed, or with which her fondness bounteously gifted him.