Part 65 (1/2)

Many weeks passed on, and music still formed the chief occupation in life for Despard and Mrs Thornton His journey to Brandon village had been without result He knew not what to do The inquiries which he made every where turned out useless Finally Thornton infor after the event, to atteo Now nothing more could possibly be effected

Baffled, but not daunted, Despard fell back for the present from his purpose, yet still cherished it and wrote to different quarters for information Meantime he had to return to his life at Holby, and Mrs

Thornton was still ready to assist him

So the time went on, and the weeks passed, till one day in March Despard went up as usual

On entering the parlor he heard voices, and saw a stranger Mrs

Thornton greeted hier rose, and he and Despard looked at one another

He was of ure His broas very broad and high His hair was black, and clustered in curls over his head His eyes were large, and seeave the--liquid eyes, yet lustrous, where all the soul seelance, yet lofty like the eyes of a being from some superior sphere

His face was thin and shaven close, his lips also were thin, with a perpetual s about theive to the Apostle John--the subli, the inspired

”You do not know him,” said Mrs Thornton ”It is Paolo!”

Despard at once advanced and greeted him with the warmest cordiality

”I was only a little fellohen I saw you last, and you have changed somewhat since then,” said Despard ”But when did you arrive? I knew that you were expected in England, but was not sure that you would cohetti with a fond smile at his sister

”Were you really not sure, _sorellina_, that I would come to see you first of all? Infidel!” and he shook his head at her, playfully

A long conversation followed, chiefly about Langhetti's plans He was going to engage a place in London for his opera, but wished first to secure a singer Oh, if he only could find Bice--his Bicina, the divinest voice that lances, and at last Despard told him that there was a person of the sa in a seclusion so strict that it seemed confinement, and there was a mystery about her situation which he had tried without success to fathohetti listened with a painful surprise that seeo myself Oh, my Bicina--to what misery have you come--But do you say that you have been there?”

”Yes”

”Did you go to the Hall?”

”No”

”Why not?”

”Because I know the ht for a moment, and then said,

”True, he is all that, and perhaps ine”

”I have done the utmost that can be done!” said Despard

”Perhaps so; still each one wishes to try for hih I can scarce hope to be more successful than you, yet I must try, if only for my own peace of entle nature being subject to such torments as those ruffians can inflict!