"I am come," said De Guerre, "to bid for awhile farewell to Mistress

Cecil; to thank her for the kindness I have received under this roof;

and to assure her that it can never be forgotten."

"You have received but little attention--too little, indeed; yet, my

father's health--our recent heavy affliction--will, I am sure, plead for

us, and win an excuse. I was not, however, aware that your departure

would come so suddenly. Is my father apprised of it?"

"He is not:--forgive me, lady; but I could not avoid saying how much and

how truly I have felt the kind consideration you have bestowed upon one

who, however worthy, I hope, in many respects, has nevertheless deceived

you."

"De Guerre may deceive me," replied Constance, with considerable

emotion, extending one hand as she spoke, and covering her face with the

other, "De Guerre may deceive me, but Walter--dear Walter--never."

The young man took her offered hand, and pressed it affectionately to

his lips. "Ah! how soon you saw in the Cavalier the companion and

playmate of your childhood, though you believed him dead! Women have

quick eyes, and warm hearts for old friends. Unrecognised by my

nurse--by your father--yet discovered by you--by you only, Constance! I

need not say, do not betray me; do not breathe, even to those walls, who

it is that has entered within them; let it remain secret as the grave.

But I need not urge you thus, for treachery is not in your nature; let

me talk of other things, and ask by what token, Constance, did you trace

me through the disguise that years, and the burning sun of many a

parched land, have thrown over my features and my form?"

"It was your voice that struck me first--some tones and modulations,

that I well remembered when you called my dog:--then the unforgotten

locket which you placed in my hand, which, when I had seen you, I knew

could have been placed there by no other:--then----" Constance paused

and blushed; she ought to have felt angry at the liberty that had been

taken with her tresses, but she gave no expression to such a feeling;

and the pause was broken by the Cavalier, who drew from his bosom the

beautiful braid of which the maiden had been robbed.

The colour on Constantia's cheek was succeeded by a deadly paleness.

"Ah! what a moment it was, by that old temple, the lily triumphing over

the rose on your fair cheek, even more than now, yet with such mild and

gentle triumph, one scarce could wish it less; your eyes veiled by

those soft lashes:--well, no more--I will say no more of this. I tried

my poor skill to call you back to life, and, just as I succeeded, your

companion and attendant came in sight. Since then, this dear memento has

nestled near my heart, a shield against evil, and against evil thoughts.

What! still so pale? you must be ill, my sweet friend," he inquired

tenderly.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024