Page images
PDF
EPUB

mality, and a preconceived determination to treat a lover with cold politeness.

The sad-coloured gown-the pinched and plaited cap, which carefully obscured the profusion of long dark-brown hair-the small ruff, and the long sleeves, would have appeared to great disadvantage on a shape less graceful than Alice Bridgenorth's; but an exquisite form, though not, as yet, sufficiently rounded in the outlines to produce the perfection of female beauty, was able to sustain and give grace even to this unbecoming dress. Her countenance, fair and delicate, with eyes of hazel, and a brow of alabaster, had, notwithstanding, less regular beauty than her form, and might have been justly subjected to criticism. There was, however, a life and spirit in her gaiety, and a depth of sentiment in her gravity, which made Alice, in conversation with the very few persons with whom she associa ted, so fascinating in her manners and expres sion, whether of language or countenance-so touching, also, in her simplicity and purity of thought, that brighter beauties might have been overlooked in her company. It was no wonder,

therefore, that an ardent character like Julian, influenced by these charms, as well as by the secrecy and mystery attending his intercourse with Alice, should prefer the recluse of the BlackFort to all others with whom he had become acquainted in general society.

His heart beat high as she came into the apartment, and it was almost without an attempt to speak that his profound obeisance acknowledged her entrance.

"This is a mockery, Master Peveril," said Alice, with an effort to speak firmly, which yet was disconcerted by a slight tremulous inflection of voice" a mockery, and a cruel one. You come to this lone place, inhabited only by two women, too simple to command your absencetoo weak to enforce it-you come, in spite of my earnest request-to the neglect of your own time-to the prejudice, I may fear, of my character you abuse the influence you possess over the simple person to whom I am intrusted-All this you do, and think to make it up by low reverences, and constrained courtesy ! Is this ho

nourable, or is it fair?—Is it," she added, after a moment's hesitation-" is it kind ?"

The tremulous accent fell especially on the last word she uttered, and it was spoken in a low tone of gentle reproach, which went to Julian's heart.

"If," said he, "there was a mode by which, at the peril of my life, Alice, I could shew my regard-my respect-my devoted tendernessthe danger would be dearer to me than ever was pleasure."

"You have said such things often,” said Alice, "and they are such as I ought not to hear, and do not desire to hear. I have no tasks to impose on you-no enemies to be destroyed-no need or desire of protection-no wish, Heaven knows, to expose you to danger-It is your visits here alone to which danger attaches. You have but to rule your own wilful temper-to turn your thoughts and your cares elsewhere, and I can have nothing to ask-nothing to wish for. Use your own reason-consider the injury you do yourself the injustice you do us—and let me,

once more, in fair terms, entreat you to absent yourself from this place-till-till—”

She paused, and Julian eagerly interrupted her," Till when, Alice ?-till when ?-impose on me any length of absence which your severity can inflict, short of a final separation-Say, begone for years, but return when these years are over; and, slow and wearily as they must pass away, still the thought, that they must at length have their period, will enable me to live through them. Let me, then, conjure thee, Alice, to name a date to fix a term-to say till when.”

"Till you can bear to think of me only as a friend and sister."

"That is a sentence of eternal banishment indeed," said Julian; "it is seeming, no doubt, to fix a term of exile, but attaching to it an impossible condition."

ere you

"And why impossible, Julian ?" said Alice, in a tone of persuasion; "were we not happier threw the mask from your own countenance, and tore the veil from my foolish eyes ? Did we not meet with joy, spend our time happily, and part cheerily, because we transgressed

no duty, and incurred no self-reproach? Bring back that state of happy ignorance, and you shall have no reason to call me unkind. But while you form schemes which I know to be imaginary, and use language of such violence and passion, you shall excuse me if I now, and once for all declare, that since Deborah shews herself unfit for the trust reposed in her, and must needs expose me to persecutions of this nature, I will write to my father, that he may fix me another place of residence; and in the meanwhile I will take shelter with my aunt at Kirk-Truagh.”

"Hear me, unpitying girl," said Peveril, "hear me, and you shall see how devoted I am to obedience, in all that I can do to oblige you. You say you were happy when we spoke not on such topics-well-at all expence of my own suppressed feelings, that happy period shall return. I will meet you-walk with you-read with you-but only as a brother would with his sister, or a friend with his friend; the thoughts I may nourish, be they of hope or of despair, my tongue shall not give birth to, and therefore I cannot offend; Deborah shall be ever by your side, and

« PreviousContinue »