he decides?"

Exactly so," replied Raymond, "another link of the breakless chain.

Were I now to commit an act which would annihilate my hopes, and

pluck the regal garment from my mortal limbs, to clothe them in ordinary

weeds, would this, think you, be an act of free-will on my part?"

As we talked thus, I perceived that we were not going the ordinary road to

Windsor, but through Englefield Green, towards Bishopgate Heath. I began to

divine that Idris was not the object of our journey, but that I was brought

to witness the scene that was to decide the fate of Raymond--and of

Perdita. Raymond had evidently vacillated during his journey, and

irresolution was marked in every gesture as we entered Perdita's cottage. I

watched him curiously, determined that, if this hesitation should continue,

I would assist Perdita to overcome herself, and teach her to disdain the

wavering love of him, who balanced between the possession of a crown, and

of her, whose excellence and affection transcended the worth of a

kingdom.

We found her in her flower-adorned alcove; she was reading the newspaper

report of the debate in parliament, that apparently doomed her to

hopelessness. That heart-sinking feeling was painted in her sunk eyes and

spiritless attitude; a cloud was on her beauty, and frequent sighs were

tokens of her distress. This sight had an instantaneous effect on Raymond;

his eyes beamed with tenderness, and remorse clothed his manners with

earnestness and truth. He sat beside her; and, taking the paper from her

The Last Man