e; and then he found himself breathless at
her feet. Beyond, towards T----- (the small inn I spoke of), the waves
had already reached the foot of the rocks, and precluded all hope of
return. Their only chance was the possibility that the waters had not
yet rendered impassable the hollow through which Falkland had just
waded. He scarcely spoke; at least he was totally unconscious of what he
said. He hurried her on breathless and trembling, with the sound of the
booming waters ringing in his ear, and their billows advancing to his
very feet. They arrived at the hollow: a single glance sufficed to show
him that their solitary hope was past! The waters, before up to his
chest, had swelled considerably: he could not swim. He saw in that
instant that they were girt with a hastening and terrible death. Can it
be believed that with that certainty ceased his fear? He looked in
the pale but calm countenance of her who clung to him, and a strange
tranquillity, even mingled with joy, possessed him. Her breath was on
his cheek--her form was reclining on his own--his hand clasped hers; if
they were to die, it was thus. What would life afford to him more dear?
"It is in this moment," said he, and he knelt as he spoke, "that I dare
tell you what otherwise my lips never should have revealed. I love--I
adore you! Turn not away from me thus. In life our persons were severed;
if our hearts are united in death, then death will be sweet." She
turned--her cheek was no longer pale! He rose--he clasped her to
his bosom: his lips pressed hers. Oh! that long, deep, burning
pressure!--youth, love, life, soul, all concentrated in that one kiss!
Yet the same cause which occasioned the avowal hallowed also the madness
of his heart. What had the passion, declared only at the approach of
death, with the more earthly desires of life? They looked to heaven--it
was calm and unclouded: the evening lay there in its balm and perfume,
and the air was less agitated than their sighs. They turned towards the
beautiful sea which was to be their grave: the wild birds flew over it
exultingly: the far vessels seemed "rejoicing to run their course." All
was full of the breath, the glory, the life of nature; and in how many
minutes was all to be as nothing! Their existence would resemble the
ships that have gone down at sea in the very smile of the element that
destroyed them. They looked into each other's eyes, and they drew still
nearer together. Their hearts, in safe