Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/385

Rh changed, and she is his betrothed! When they entered my room hand in hand, to announce to me that they were engaged to each other, his countenance beamed with happiness, like a demi-god; she was pale, but her eyes were bright as two clear stars. They were a lovely couple; he strength, she grace. I received with amazement, and not without uneasiness, the wholly unexpected communication; and though I clasped them both in my arms with heart-felt congratulations, I still felt a secret fear that a surprise of the yielding womanly heart had occasioned this sudden change in the resolve which she had lately taken, though long matured. I wished to be alone with her, and after he had assured us both, that she was still free, that she never should be bound without her own “full, free consent,” he left us alone.

I gazed with uneasy inquiry into those deep eyes where I saw clouds and tears casting a shadow over the lately beaming glance. But she tranquilized my fears of her own accord. She had seen him, she said, so good, so noble, so beautiful in his love, that she felt herself conquered, and had given herself to him with clear consciousness and full reflection. She felt that she had acted rightly, “she was resolved to make him happy, and she hoped and believed that she would henceforth be happy with him!” May she be so, the pure-hearted, lovely young girl! Hitherto I have felt more interest in him than in her; because his honest and unselfish love has won my whole sympathy. But from this moment I feel that my heart will be principally drawn towards her.

September 5th.—Our bathing has come to a terrible