Page:Elizabeth, or, The exiles of Siberia (1).pdf/10

                             10 affected by witnessing these tender and maternal cares which Elizabeth received, and he felt it impossible to love Elizabeth without being attached to her mother also—and the felicity of being the husband of that lovely girl included the happiness of being the son of Phedora. The night now approached, the storm being past, Springer took the hand of Smoloff, and, with mingled kindness and grief, reminded him it was proper to go. Elizabeth now first discovered that he was visiting them for the last time—“ What,” said she, “ shall I never see you more ?” “Ah!” replied Smoloff, with great vivacity, ‘‘as long as I remain free, and you continue to inhabit these deserts, I will not again, quit Saimka; I will see you at the church, in the forest, on the plain, and on the banks of the river—I will see you everywhere.” From this Elizabeth foresaw the possibility of being enabled to confide to him her design, and beheld him depart with diminished pain. The next Sunday Elizabeth and her mother set out to Saimka, guided by their Tartar lad, and the weather being fine, the distance appeared short. On entering the church, all eyes were turned towards them, but their regard was directed to the Supreme object of their devotion. When Elizabeth raised her head, Smoloff was the first object that met her view; he was leaning against a pillar, with his eyes fixed on her. When quitting the church, Smoloff offered to take them back in his sledge, to which Phedora gladly consented ; but not so Elizabeth, who was inwardly chagrined at not having an opportunity to whisper her wishes to Smoloff. The sledge soon reached the borders of the forest, when Smoloff declared he could proceed no further. Phedora first alighted, and, while giving him her hand, said, ‘‘Do you not walk here sometimes? At this juncture her daughter, who alighted next, added, in a low and hurried tone of voice, “ Not here ; but to-morrow, in the little chapel on the plain.” The next day she went to the chapel, but found not Smoloff there—she entreated of heaven that her uncertainty might not be prolonged. While supplicating relief from on high, Smoloff hastily arrived, and was surprised to find Elizabeth there before him. When Elizabeth saw Smoloff, she exclaimed—“Ah, sir ! with what impatience have I waited for your coming.” These words, her expressive looks, the meeting itself, the exactness of her keeping it, all confirmed the youth in the persuasion that she loved him ; so that he was about to declare his affection, had she allowed him ; but she prevented him by saying—“M. de Smoloff, hear me ! I have need of you, in order to save my father; promise me your support. These simple words confounded the young man; perplexed and confused, he betrayed his mistake, but did not value Elizabeth the less.