“Zuleime! time presses. To-night you must journey to L——, and take the stage thence to Richmond. I have a negro here on whose secrecy I can depend; he shall take two horses from the stable and convey you to L—— in time to meet the Richmond stage. I will give you a letter that you must deliver to its address as soon as you reach the city. Get up now and come with me,” said Georgia, taking her hand to assist her in rising. The unhappy girl mechanically yielded herself to the guidance of “the dark ladie,” and they ascended the glen. Retracing their steps through forest, field, orchard, vineyard and garden, they reached the house, and entered by the back door. The hall was deserted; the family being at that hour gathered around their parlor fire, and the servants being at supper. “Zuleime, go quietly up into your chamber and get ready, while I go down and find the man I spoke of,” said Georgia. Zuleime mechanically obeyed——. The next hour, while her father and sister and friends were enjoying their happy evening re-union in the warm, bright parlor, the wretched Zuleime, through the dark night, and the howling wind, commenced her journey. Of what followed the discovery of her loss, you are already possessed. CHAPTER XX. A DOMESTIC SCENE A light, commodious chamber, Looking out to the hills, where the shine Of the great sun may enter.—MARY HOWITT. Nearly twelve months have passed since the death of Mr. Clifton. It is October, the most glorious month in the year, when the gorgeous beauty of nature more than satisfies—when it enraptures the soul. I shall introduce you into a chamber, whose three large windows look out upon the scene of glorious magnificence, only to be found when mountains, vales and forests wear their gorgeous autumn livery. It is a very large apartment, so long and lofty, that the great four-post bedstead, standing with its head against the upper end, is not in the way. At the lower end of the room, there is an old-fashioned fire-place, where an oak fire is burning. The floor is covered with an ingrain carpet, of warm, rich hues. The bedstead, lounge and cushioned chairs are clothed with dark, bright chintz. The windows are curtained with orange-colored damask, which give a mellow, autumnal tone to the atmosphere of the room. The curtains are festooned back, to admit the sunshine, and the glorious view without.