“Well,” he continued, “to resume the thread of my narrative; after I had stayed some weeks with my mother and sister, I took advantage of their departure for the continent, and resolved to make a tour through England. Rich people, and I have always been very rich, get exceedingly tired of the embarrassment of their riches. I seized with delight at the idea of travelling without carriages and servants; I took merely a favourite horse, and the black dog, poor Terror, which you see now at my feet. “The day I commenced this plan was to me the epoch of a new and terrible existence. However, you must pardon me if I am not here sufficiently diffuse. Suffice it, that I became acquainted with a being whom, for the first and only time in my life, I loved! This miniature attempts to express her likeness; the initials at the back, interwoven with my own, are hers.” “Yes,” said I, incautiously, “they are the initials of Gertrude Douglas.” “What!” cried Glanville, in a loud tone, which he instantly checked, and continued in an indrawn, muttered whisper: “How long is it since I heard that name! and now--now--” he broke off abruptly, and then said, with a calmer voice, “I know not how you have learnt her name; perhaps you will explain?” “From Thornton,” said I. “And has he told you more?” cried Glanville, as if gasping for breath--the “history--the dreadful--” “Not a word,” said I, hastily; “he was with me when I found the picture, and he explained the initials.” “It is well!” answered Glanville, recovering himself; “you will see presently if I have reason to love that those foul and sordid lips should profane the story I am about to relate. Gertrude was an only daughter; though of gentle blood, she was no match for me, either in rank or fortune. Did I say just now that the world had not altered me? See my folly; one year before I saw her, and I should not have thought her, but myself honoured by a marriage;--twelve little months had sufficed to--God forgive me! I took advantage of her love--her youth--her innocence--she fled with me--but not to the altar!” Again Glanville paused, and again, by a violent effort, conquered his emotion, and proceeded: