The Buccaneer - A Tale

"And well you may," added Constance, whose dignity of soul led her to

appreciate, with as much judgment as enthusiasm, the extraordinary man

who commanded the admiration, not only of England, but of Europe. "Well

may you be proud of the most successful statesman, the most resolute

general, the most useful Christian that ever governed a state. By his

power he holds our enemies in subjection; and guides our friends by his

wisdom. I am but a poor politician, yet, methinks, I could almost

worship your father for the spirit and humanity with which he succours

those poor persecuted Vaudois, who have kept their faith pure as the

breath of their native valleys: when I think of this, even the conqueror

is forgotten in the man."

"You are a dear noble creature," exclaimed Frances, as she gazed with

admiration upon the animated and expressive countenance of her

companion; then encircling her neck, and kissing her cheek, with that

delightful warmth of manner which can spring only from warmth of

feeling, she continued, "I wish, my love, that flush were always on

your cheek. You nourish some secret sorrow, Constance; nay, I am sure

you do; and I will write and say so to my sister Claypole, who is

worthy to be your confidant, as well as your godmother, though I am

not. Nay, nay, I know it well: I admire, but do not quite understand

you. The heavens are given us to hope for, and the sun to look upon,

and--but dear me! that would be--a simile! I vow that sounded like rhyme;

but here comes reason, in the shape of our new knight. Adieu! dear

Constantia!--Barbara! that is surely Robin Hays, groping among the

slopes like a huge hedgehog. Did you not want to consult him as to the

management of the peewits' eggs?"

"In truth, yes, my lady," replied Barbara, rising from a half-finished

carnation:--"May I go, mistress?"

Constance assented.

"May I go, mistress?" repeated Lady Frances, mimicking Barbara's tone

and courtesy, in her light-hearted gaiety.

"Yes," replied Constantia firmly, "I would rather you did; for I have

something particular to say to Major Wellmore's friend."

"Now, is not that just like Constance Cecil?" thought Lady Frances, as

she left the room; "another would have said any thing rather than the

truth--yet is truth a noble thing: something to venerate as well as

love--the best of virtues, the wisest of counsellors, and the firmest of

friends."

Constance rose from her seat as the Cavalier entered; but there was an

expression of deep sorrow over his whole countenance, that was almost

immediately communicated to hers. What an extraordinary and undefinable

tie is that which binds souls and sympathies together--the voice, that

is heard only by the ear of affection--the look, that only one can

understand--the silent thrill of happiness or of anguish, communicated

by a smile or by a sigh! The world may sneer at, or may condemn; yet

most true it is, that they who love with the most purity and the most

truth, draw nearest to that great Spirit who is the perfection of both!