Thus meditating, under the influence of that
intermittent evil grasp, almost angry with himself for the open truth
which he had spoken, or rather written, and perhaps thinking more of
Lizzie and her beauty than he should have done, in the course of three
weeks he had paid but one visit to Fawn Court. Then, of a sudden, finding
himself one afternoon relieved from work, he resolved to go there. The
days were still almost at their longest, and he did not scruple to present
himself before Lady Fawn between eight and nine in the evening. They were
all at tea, and he was welcomed kindly. Lucy, when he was announced, at
once got up and met him almost at the doorway, sparkling with just a tear
of joy in her eye, with a look in her face and a loving manner which for
the moment made him sure that the little house near the Swiss Cottage
would, after all, be the only Elysium upon earth. If she spoke a word he
hardly heard it, but her hand was in his, so cool and soft, almost
trembling in its grasp, with no attempt to withdraw itself, frank, loving,
and honest. There was a perfect satisfaction in her greeting which at once
told him that she had no discontented thoughts--had had no such thoughts--
because he had been so long without coming.
Pages:
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289