at
crossly to his own servant who reminded him of the physician's
regulations. He even shook his finger playfully at Laura for her
grave looks upon the occasion, and during the rest of the evening was
as gay as gay could be. The consequence, however, was, that about a
quarter of an hour after Wilton had descended to the breakfast-room
on the following morning, Laura came down alone.
"I am sorry to say, Wilton," she said, with a slight smile, "that my
dear father has greatly increased his pain by exceeding a little last
night. He has scarcely slept at all, I find, and begs you will excuse
him till dinner-time. He leaves me to entertain you, Wilton. Do you
think I can do it?"
Wilton's answer was easily found; and Laura passed the whole morning
with him alone.
Certainly neither of the two would have purchased the pleasure at the
expense of the Duke's suffering; but yet that pleasure of being alone
together was, indeed, intense and bright. They were both very young,
both fitted for high enjoyment, both loving as ardently and deeply as
it is possible for human beings to love. Through the rich and
beautiful woods of the park, over the sunny lawns and grassy
savannas--where the wild deer, nested in the tall fern, raising its
dark eyes and antlered head to gaze above the feathery green at the
passers by--Wilton and Laura wandered on, pouring forth the tale of
affection into each other's hearts, gazing in each other's eyes, and
seeming, through that clear window lighted up with life, to see into
the deepest chambers of each other's bosom, and there behold a
treasury of joy and mutual tenderness for years to come.
In the midst of that beautiful scene their love seemed in its proper
place--everything appeared to harmonize with it--whereas, in the
crowded city, all had jarred. Here the voices of the birds poured
forth the sweetest harmony upon their ear as they went by; everything
that the eye rested upon spoke softness, and peace, and beauty, and
happy days; everything refreshed the sight and made the bosom expand;
everything breathed of joy or imaged tranquillity.
The words, too, the words of affection, seemed more easily to find
utterance; all the objects around suggested that imagery which
passion, and tenderness, and imagination, can revel in at ease; the
fanciful clouds, as they flitted over the sky, the waving branches of
the woods, the gay sparkling of the bright stream, the wide-extending
prospect here and there, with the hills, only appearing warmer an