Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/96

94 are to operate—hers were only those of right and wrong. A whole life spent in society inevitably refers its action to the general opinion. Beatrice, as yet, looked not beyond the action itself.

Days, weeks passed away, and Edward lingered in the neighbourhood. Marcela, like most nurses, thought her child might marry an emperor; and, as an emperor was not at hand, the young, rich, and handsome Englishman was a very good substitute. With Donna Margaretta he was an unbounded favourite: she was just a child—and gentle and genuine kindness never fails to win the love of children. Beatrice knew his footstep at a distance that might have defied even the acute listener of the fairy tale; and yet, with even such long forewarning, would blush crimson deep on his entrance. Lorraine would loiter, and ask for one more of her native ballads; and then think, how could it be late, when he seemed but just to have arrived? Young, loving, and beloved—how much of happiness may be summed up in a few brief words!—All great nonsense, I grant; and at this conviction most lovers arrive in a very few months. But if it would sometimes save much