Page:History of fair Rosamond (1).pdf/16

16 sook her pillow, and sought her lover. The excitement of her flight had lulled her anxieties; and overwhelmed her thoughts of home; but, in the reflections that time afforded her, they came with redoubled force.

"Oh! Henry," she cried, "I repent me of the past: bear me back to my father; what will be his agony! what will my mother suffer! Will they not turn in their grief, and curse their child?"

"My Rosamond, my own beloved Rosamond," cried Henry, "your happiness is my life; for I live but to promote it; your will, my law; your wish, a mandate. Rest but to-day; and by this eve, I swear to bear you where you will."

Ere long they were again mounted. The roads to Godstow and to London were both direct, though in different directions; but as the horse was led forth at the back of the dwelling, Rosamond never noticed the direction he took, and rode contentedly on, though every step took her further from the abode of her parents.

"Whither have you carried me?" she exclaimed, as they passed over the Strand then a barren track; "and what river is that which rolls beside us? there is