PUBLISHED BY W. B. GILLEY, 92 BROADWAY.
C. S. Van Winkle, Printer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

HOURS OF HESITATION.

CHAP. I.

"The naked savage panting at the line,
Boasts of his golden sands and palmy wine;
Basks in the glare or stems the tepid wave,
And thanks his Gods for all the good they gave!
Nor less the patriot's boast where'er we roam,
The first best pleasure ever is at home."

GOLDSMITH.

"Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing. His reasons are two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff; you shall seek all day ere you find them, and when you have them, they are not worth the search." SHAKSPEARE.

THE result of the conference between the Bishop and Lord Montague, was the immediate departure of the latter from Paris. He had again embarked on the ocean; was again fleeing from Miss Argyle, yet cherishing her idea in his inmost heart; constantly endeavouring to escape from it, yet continually clinging to it; and by a fatal refinement of passion, resolutely concealing it, until he discerned visible marks of preference in its object.

His eye dwelt on the peaceful shores of France, that enclosed all on which his soul doated-the gale was favourable, and rapidly wafted him from that country, the aspect of which was so soon to change!

The character of Lord Montague was equally bold, energetic, and decisive. With almost