Yet at the same time, as the countenance of the lover did not in any way alter the case with regard to Mary's position or circumstances, there was nothing to be said or done by her friends whilst awaiting the issue of affairs, but to observe with regret that though with the same meek "patience, abnegation of self, and devotion to others," their sister pursued the even tenor of her way, the cheerful serenity which before had continued to shine forth in her countenance, and characterize her bearing, had departed. Her mind had been evidently unsettled by the _rencontre_ with Eugene Trevor--her heart's calm rest disturbed. How was it indeed with Mary? Had the hints conveyed by Eugene during their interview depressed her hopes, and re-awakened her misgivings as to the happy issue of the year's probation? Or more bitter still--had anything in that same interview occurred to give that first disenchanting touch, which by degrees detracts from the perfect charm which has hitherto robed our idol, and we see the image of goodness and beauty, whose idol shape we worshipped, melting from our sight, and though still it binds the fatal spell, and still it draws us on, the spirit of our love is changed--a shadow has fallen upon it. We feel it to be "of the earth earthy." Had Mary received any startling impression, her feelings any _boulversement_, by beholding Eugene Trevor for the first time so unlike the Eugene she had hitherto loved--under the irritating disturbing influences of opposition and reverse. But from whatever cause they might proceed, certainly "the gloom and the shadow" spread broader and deeper on her brow; and when on his return from the Moors, Eugene Trevor, probably for the chance of another interview, revisited the Scotch metropolis, he learnt, by particular inquiry of a maid-servant he found standing by the door of Mr. Gillespie's closed house, that the family had left Edinburgh, and gone to the sea-side. "Were they all well?" he inquired. "All well, only the young lady, Mrs. Gillespie's sister, a little pale, and pining for country air. So the young Maister Arthur had come, and persuaded them to put up their gear, and take the bairns and all to the sea; but the maister was expected home the morrow, if the gentleman liked to step up and see him." We may imagine that Trevor had no inclination to tarry for this purpose, and that same day left Scotland _en route_ for Montrevor. CHAPTER III. He glowed with a spirit pure and high, They called the feeling madness, And he wept for woe with a melting eye, 'Twas weak and moody sadness. PERCIVAL. It was Epsom week. London was all astir with the influx of company returning from the races. A pale girl sat alone in one of the apartments of an hotel in Brook Street, listening long and anxiously to the coming sounds of the carriage-wheels, as they whirled along in that direction.