The deck was crowded with boxes of every description;
the cabin full of a cheerful party who had gone down to send away the
bride with blessings and good wishes. It seemed all sad enough to
Richard. After our first youth we have lost that recklessness of change
Which throws off the old and welcomes the new without regret. The past
had been so happy, what the future might be none could tell.
He turned his face eastward without much hope. Elizabeth's letter had
been short and inexplicit. "She would see him soon; letters never fully
explained any thing." He arrived at Hallam toward the end of October,
and having come by an earlier packet than had been named, he was not
expected, and there was no one at the coach to meet him. It was one
of those dying days of summer when there is a pale haze over the brown
bare fields of the gathered harvests. Elizabeth was walking on the
terrace; he saw her turn and come unconsciously toward him. She was
pale and worn, and an inexpressible sadness was in her face. But the
surprise revealed the full beauty and tenderness of her soul. "O,
Richard! Richard! my love! my love!" and so saying, she came forward
with hands outstretched and level palms; and the rose came blushing
into her cheeks, and the love-light into her eyes; and when Richard
kissed her, she whispered, "Thank God you are come! I am so glad!"
People are apt to suppose that in old countries and among the wealthy
classes years come and go and leave few traces.
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