After All.

until within sight of the ' convent , when the poor fellow fell down fairly exhausted ancl unable to move another step . Luckily , or otherwise , Miss Cumberland did not see this , but just as she was entering the sepulchral door of the nunnery , Redtaper managed to totter towards the gate , unable to speak or act , but with a most supplicating look , which struck Violet to the heart as the

great door closed for ever ancl left him outside . But she was not a woman to change her will when it was once fixed , ancl Redtaper was now out of sight , though not out of mind ; ancl she at once put herself in the hands of the lady superior , who was highly pleased at the entrance of the wealthy " novice . " In the meantime , Herbert Redtaper rode back in the carriage which had just brought her , almost unconscious of his

situation , but with a dead , lost feeling at his heart . His wound was bleeding afresh , ancl he was obliged to summon his physician ' s aid when he reached home again . The Cumberlauds had not been aware of their daughter ' s disappearance until apprised by Redtaper , when too late . The latter had a slight attack of fever after his disappointing adventure , but all dangerous symptoms were

quelled in a few days . Still he had not given up all hope , and he determined to follow his loved one to the bitter end . Even in a nunnery he would try to influence her in his favour and make her his own . There was one thing in his favour , if even he could not see her , at least no one else could . Round and round the solemn place he paced with weary step , but nothing suggested itself to him . It was like a prison ; there was no ingress or egress possible without disturbance ; besides , it was surrounded with other buildings , aud he had no idea where he should find the object he sought . It was almost impossible to hope for success , and Redtaper had nearly despaired . But one day when he

had been more dejected than usual , to his unbounded joy he saw the face of ' Violet Cumberland through one of the upper windows , and he thought he observed a sympathetic and encouraging look upon it as she waved him a kindly adieu ancl disappeared . What should he do now ? Could he obtain an interview with her by any means ? He was afraid not , but he would try his best . After that he was busy contriving scaling-ladders and collecting tools for filing the bars of the grim windows . It seemed to him that she was a

prisoner , ancl would now perhaps flee with him , and perhaps love him at last . It was worth trying ; ancl the time came when the scaling-ladders and all his other appliances were ready ; and one dark night , unknown to any of his friends , he started on his dangerous enterprise . Cautiously he proceeded with his work . All was quiet as he dexterously succeeded in fixing his ladder in the window in which he hac , seen the face of Miss Cumberlandancl which he

sur-, mised would be her room . What if it were not ? Why , then his pains would be fruitless ; perhaps worse than useless . But it was his only chance , ancl he could wait no longer . He would risk the chance . Steadily he ascended the silken ropes , ancl when he reached the window , his heart wildly palpitating , he listened again . All was still . Then he carefully selected his fine files and commenced to work on the bars of the window . Slow was the progress he

made in his awkward situation on the unrelieved face of the building , and the work was very tedious and fatiguing ; still he perseveringly continued until three of the bars were sawn away , ancl he had been working nearly an hour . Then he thought he heard a slight noise , and he ceased ancl listened intently . There was certainly some one moving in the room . He crouched down as low as possible without creating a sound , not sure that it might be Violet . Even

then he scarcely knew how to act . Her surprise or indignation might betray him . He was all excitement as he heard the window being stealthily lifted , ancl he was ready to rapidl y descend if an alarm were given . Oh , the moments of agonized suspense he endured while the window was being raised ; it seemed as though he had lived half a lifetime on the wall of the nunnery . Would it never be open ? At last he saw , to his delight that it was