Page:Romance & Reality 1.pdf/169

Rh —it trimmed the lace cornette, so becoming to a slight invalid, which Adelaide wore at breakfast. A headach is a delicate compliment to a departing lover; and Edward consoled himself by the future preference he was to obtain over every London rival. Her preference! of what did he not feel capable to win it!—what would he not do before they again met!—conquer Greece, and lay the crown at her feet—become prime minister, and place at her disposal the whole list of pensions and places—start forth another Byron, and make her immortal in his love; at least, he felt fully equal to them all, and his horse was spurred to a full gallop in the mere energy of intention. Ah! love and youth are delightful things, before the one is chilled, and the other darkened by those after-days, each of which brings with it some dull or sad lesson!—when we learn, that, though disappointment is misery, fruition is but weariness; and that happiness is like the statue of Isis, whose veil no mortal ever raised. It was late in the evening before he found himself seated in his brother's favourite apartment in Etheringhame Castle—one of those delicious evenings when winter lingers round the hearth, but spring looks laughing in at