My last interview with her, had revived within my mind the sweet remembrances of the past, along with thoughts of the present, and dreams of the future--thoughts and dreams that would not again sleep. A mental vision of her loveliness was constantly before me. What was I to do first? I had but little money in my pockets; and could not leave Liverpool at present to obtain more. I must stay until the return of Adkins; and it would not do to spend my last shilling in idly waiting. Without friends I could only get such occupation, as required the severest labour to perform; but, fortunately for that, I had the will, health, and strength I feel a pride in stating, that I acted, as a man should under the circumstances. Instead of strolling about in hopeless idleness, I went to the docks, and obtained labourer's work. For two weeks I worked at handling cotton bales, and bags of sugar. The toil was humble, and the pay for it was proportionately small; but duty commanded me, and I worked on, cheered by hope, and without repining at my fate. Sometimes in the evening, I would walk up and down the street in front of the residence of Mrs Hyland--with the hope of seeing Lenore, or with the knowledge of being near her, whether she might be seen or not. I found pleasure even in this. I did not like to call on her again--until I had given her mother some proof of my innocence. Sometimes it occurred to me to ask myself the question, why should I see her more, even after I had cleared myself? She was beautiful, dangerously beautiful; and I was friendless, homeless, and without fortune. Why should I endanger my future peace of mind, by becoming more and more infatuated with one whose heart I could scarce hope ever to possess? Duty as well as reason told me to pursue the search for my relatives, and see Lenore Hyland no more. But where is the heart love-stricken that will listen to the call, either of reason, or duty? Mine did not, and could not. It was deaf to such an appeal. I could think only of Lenore, yearn to see her again--to speak with her--to listen to her--to love her! Volume One, Chapter XII. AN ENCOUNTER WITH A COWARD. About a week after my interview with Mrs Hyland and her daughter, I saw what I had been daily looking for--a notice in one of the Liverpool papers, under the head of "Shipping Intelligence," announcing the arrival of the ship "Lenore," Captain Adkins, from New Orleans. After reading the notice, I hastily flung aside the paper; and proceeded direct to the docks--where I found the vessel had already arrived.