The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 323: what you’re looking at

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308 from the idea of allying her fate with that of the humble and obscure artist from Italy—then be it so: but let there be candour in your speech! I give you back your vows—I give you back your pledges: and yet vindicated and innocent as I now stand before you, I have a right to claim them if I would. But no. More generous than you, Florina—more ready, too, to make any or every sacrifice for your sake—I will insist upon nothing that shall menace your happiness. No:’— and here his voice trembled—he murmured a few words which were inaudible, suffocated as they were by the strength of this emotions—and he was hurry- ing abruptly away. “ce Mr. {?? Deveril!” exclaimed Florina, suddenly wiping the tears from her eyes—fur she had been weeping while he spoke: “we must not part thus. “You have become the accuser But I also have something to say in justification of myself !” Deveril turned back; and with an air of melan- choly composure, in which there was a certain blend- ing of his own offended dignity, he stood in front of Florina as she was seated upon the bencb in the arbour. “ Had Lady Saxondale’s story,” she resumed, xn a tremulous voice, “been the only cause of annoyance which I felt in respect to yourself, you would not have vainly sought an opportunity for explanation on that evening when you beheld me in the baleony of my aunt’s house. Indeed, to give you a proof of my anxiety to seek such explanation—at the same time too,” she added in accents more low and tre- mulous still, “ to afford you a proof of the sincerity of that affection which I had avowed fer you—I took a step which the world would have deemed most unmaidenly, and for the imprudence of which I was indeed but too severely punished! In the evening of the same day on which Lady Saxondale brought her calumny to my aunt’s house, I stole forth, re- solving to visit you at your own abode—to tell you all that I had heard, and to beseech an explana- tion——” Ah! you did this ?” exclaimed Deveril, hope and joy suddenly lighting up his countenance. ‘Then you loved me—you really loved me? But wherefore did you not come? why did you turn back? what prevented you from carrying out your generous intention P Oh, what misery might have been spared to me!” Florina gazed in astonishment upon the radiantly handsome countenance of William Deveril as he commenced this speech: but as she recollected all she heard and saw at his dwelling on that fatal night, she could not help again thinking that this was another evidence of his matchless effrontery— and she felt pained and shocked at the thought that it could be so. *T did not turn back on that occasion, Mr. Deve- ril,’ she said in a cold calm voice. accident from repairing to your abode near the) Regent’s Park, I entered the garden—the front door stood open—I heard what I will not repeat— and immediately after I saw what I will not allude to more. But it was all enough to convince me that | while you were pretending that your heart was wholly mine * “ Ah!” ejaculated Deveril, a light suddealy break- ing in upon him; “I understand it all! Oh,—| — “IT was not | deterred by any circumstance, nor prevented by any | THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. cruel and fatal mistake ! Flerina, you heard and saw——”’ * Angela Vivaldi.” “ My sister!” A cry of wild delight thrilled from Florina’s lips ; and precipitating herself into Deveril’s arms, she sobbed upon his breast, murmuring, “ Pardon me— forgive me—dearest, dearest William!” CHAPTER LXIV. WILLIAM DEVERIL’S HISTORY. THE world has many delights—human feelings may experience many pleasures—the hearts of earth’s denizens sometimes thrill with ineffable raptures. But what joy—Oh! what joy, can compare with that which attends upon the reconciliation of lovers? When the dark clouds of jealousy have gathered over the heaven of a young maiden’s prospects, how sweet—Oh! how sweet, is it for that gentle heart of her’s to find them dispelled all in a moment, and the sun of hope bursting forth to gild another day and illume another state of being. The world has no ecstacy superior to this. . Such was the delight experienced by Lady Florina Staunton at that announcement which, falling upon her ears like an angel-voice speaking to a soul im the depths of despair, cleared up the past mystery in a moment. And Deveril—was not he also happy ? Again and again did he press that being of tran- scendent beatty in his arms—he covered her brow, her cheeks, and her lips with kisses—then seating himself upon the bench, he placed her by his side and keeping both her hands locked in his own, he gazed upon her with the prolonged look of ineffable rapture. Thus did they sit together, gazing upon eacb other in profound silence for many minutes. Theirs was a joy—deep, elysian, ineffable—which appeared almost too holy for the interruption of words. But if their tongues were silent, most eloquently expres- sive were their looks: love shone in the deep clear blue of Florina’s eyes and glowed upon the purity of her complexion ;—and love too beamed in the dark orbs and tinted the cheeks of that youth of manly beauty. Yes—the cheeks which illness had left so pale, were now animated with the bright colours in which love paints the reflection of the heart’s feelings: and perhaps that was the happiest moment of William Deveril’s life. * How cruel—how unjust I have been to you, dearest William!” murmured Florina, at length breaking silence. “Oh, if on that day when I saw you from the balcony at my aunt’s house, I had only waited to hear the explanation you so kindly and generously came to give, what anguish—what misery might have been spared us both !” * Do not reproach yourself now, my beloved Flo- rina,” returned Deveril, pressing her hand to his lips : “ the happiness which I enjoy at this moment, is a recompense for the past. And I do not blame you—not for an instant do I blame you! Appear- ances were so much against me. But how could I possibly have suspected that other incident which has just been cleared up! Oh, it was indeed a proof of love on your part to seek me at my own dwelling.” CORNICLOOOKS (E()