Page:The Children of the New Forest - 1847 - Marryat.djvu/343

 serve. She was indeed a lovely young person, but little altered, except having grown taller and more rounded and perfect in her figure; and her court-dress displayed proportions which her humble costume at the New Forest had concealed, or which time had not matured. There was the same pensive sweet expression in her face, which had altered little; but the beautiful rounded arms, the symmetrical fall of the shoulders, and the proportion of the whole figure, was a surprise to him; and Edward, in his own mind, agreed that she might well be the reigning toast of the day.

Mr. Heatherstone advanced and made his obeisance, and then his daughter was led forward, and introduced by a lady unknown to Edward. After he had saluted her, the King said, loud enough for Edward to hear,

"My obligations to your father are great. I trust that the daughter will often grace our Court."

Patience made no reply, but passed on; and, soon afterwards, Edward lost sight of her in the crowd.

If there ever had been any check to Edward's feelings towards Patience—and time and absence have their effect upon the most ardent of lovers—the sight of her so resplendent in beauty acted upon him like magic; and he was uneasy till the ceremony was over, and he was enabled to go to his sisters.

When he entered the room, he found himself in the arms of Humphrey, who had arrived with the messenger. After the greetings were over, Edward said:

"Alice and I have seen Patience, and I fear I must surrender at discretion. Mr. Heatherstone may make his own terms; I must wave all pride rather than lose her. I thought that I had more control over myself; but I have seen her, and feel that my future happiness depends upon obtaining her as a wife. Let her. father but give me her, and Arnwood will be but a trifle in addition!"