Page:Duty and Inclination 2.pdf/149

Rh existing between our first parents, his pronunciation, emphasis, and delivery, varying with the subject, rendered the effect complete. He paused at intervals to exchange ideas, or to answer remarks as they occurred. Again the blissful scenes of Paradise were discussed—the graces, the intellectual and submissive charms of the incomparable Eve. The ineffable delight felt by Philimore awakened consonant sensations in his fair and susceptive auditors.

The frugal meal brought with it a cessation of these morning pleasures; twilight succeeded to the evening walk, when Oriana, at her harp, gave Philimore unbounded delight. Though possessing little skill in music, yet his natural but accurate taste afforded him the highest relish for compositions unfolding the language of sentiment. Oriana's voice penetrated his heart, and vibrated through every inmost fibre. This intense feeling, amounting almost to pain, generally succeeded the first impression of pleasure which her vocal airs inspired. These airs, perhaps, equally well performed by another, might not have produced the same effect. The charming Oriana, it is true, ever associating in the train of his ideas, greatly tended to heighten those softening emotions which her songs excited.