The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 56: what you’re looking at

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42 the interval be short, yet it has proved quite long enough to make him acquainted with all your good qualities, and convince him that he cannot be happy without you. I have written bim an answer by this same post, to the effect that I feel honoured by the compliment he has paid me in thus frankly and candidly explaining his social posi- tion and desiring my sanction to his suit; and I have added that so far as Jam concerned, it would afford me the ut- most happiness to behold my sister the wife of such a man. The matter, therefore, now rests wlth you, my Louisa— for 1 have do doubt that Jocelyn will immediately open his mind to you. “With regard to myself, Iam happy and comfortable: but Mr. and Mrs. Beckford will net part withme. Indeed, at present, I see no chance of their allowing me to return home. They talk of adopting me and leaving me all their fortune—and as you, my dear Louisa, will soon be com- fortably settled and handsomely provided for, I must of course look after myself. Jocelyn tells me in his letter that should he be fortunate enongh to see his fondest hopes realised by becoming your husband, he will take you and aunt to a beautiful house which he possesses in a northern county, and where you shall still be enabled to continue your kind attentions towards our afflicted relative. In fact, his forethought is im every way most generous—most honourable—most affectionate. “ God bless you, dearest Loo: and once more accept the sincerest congratulations of your loving sister, “CLARA STANLEY.” The reader has already been informed that the Canterbury postman was in the habit of passing the cottage at about ten o’elock;—and it was therefore at that hour, in the morning of the 11th: of September, that Louisa Stanley received her sister’s Jong and interesting communication. And) ineffable, as the blush mpen her damask cheek al- the full explanation of the feeling which she cherished in her heart relative to Jocelyn Loftus! truly it revealed to her—or at all events gave her Yes—she now knew that she loved him-—the key to the solution of the mystery of her own sensa- tions had been afrorded her—and it was as if a lizht had suddenly blazed up in her soul, illuminat. ing that ionermost sanctuary into whose depths - her mental vision had been unable to penetrate. before! But we said that it was ten o'clock when she received her sister’s letter—and in about a couple of | hours Jocelyn would call. Unless indeed he should come even earlier than usual: and she fancied—yes, and secretly hoped—that he might. ‘Then, as she felt herself thus hoping, she caught herself blushing likewise at the same time;—-and from that instant she perceived that the sweetness of this nascent love of her’s was mingling with every thought—pene- trating every emotion—lending its inspiration as it were to every feeling—imparting radiance to every smile and tenderness to every sigh! Oh! the exquisite bliss—the purity—the chastity of a young virgin’s love! Calling forth all the music of her soul—teaching her that profound and ineflable idolatry in which the youthful heart only can be a worshipper—leading her to live amidst bright realities and far brighter dreams—conjuring up those exquisite imaginings that tinge with such roseate hues the pathway of the future—idealizing the most refined image of the heavenly passion— seeming boundless, illimitable, infinite as a rich incense that fills the earth to the very vaults of heaven with its exquisite perfume—bathing all the senses in a fount of bliss, till existence itself seems to melt away into oblivion,—such is the young maiden’s first love! Yes—and it appears as if the spirit of a celestial re we + nr + eee ee ee OSES ere THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT, melody poured its effluence into her soul, attuniD& all her feelings—all her thoughts—all her emotions, to this passion so new to her! And within the final realms of the heart, as the mental vision looks deeply inward, the image of the loved one is found impressed;—and the mind experiences bliss in the thought that it cherishes a deathless sentiment. Oh! how the famey disports and gambols, on un- wearied wing, in the paradise of its own creation! For such is Love, in the infancy of its passion: ’tis the golden-hued homey which Providenee has placed upon the brims ef life’s bitter cup ;—and the heart feels as if it mamst perish were the spell that enthrals it to be no more! We said that Lowisa—the young, the charming, the beauteous Lowisa—both fancied and hoped that Jocelyn might ¢ome a little before his usual hour : and she was mot disappointed. He had received Clara's letter—he had obtained the elder sister’s sanction to his suit—and he felt assured that he should not haye to plead in vain at the feet of the gentle Louisa. It was not mueh past eleven fn the forenoon when he arrived at the cottage. The maiden was in the garden—and she sped to open the wicket. But how her hand trembled and how sweetly eon- fused did she look as she thus gave admiittamee to her admirer, whose handsome Ccountenapee was radiant with hope, and love,and trimmph. For he saw by Louisa’s manner that Olara had ecommeani- eated with her wpon the one absorbing topic; and as this was hés first love also, he experienced a joy ready gave the answer to his suit! We shall not detail the conversation which new took place between them as they i sought the shadiest part of the garden, Suffice it te say that Jocelyn Loftus told his tale of love with all the eloguence which usually marks such tale, even though when told for the first time: and, animated with a blushing joy, did the young virgin listen in a confusion sweeter and more charming than any she had yet displayed. Then, on being pressed to give utterance to the response that was to confirm all the fond expectations and ratify the hopes of her lover, with downcast looks did she murmur the monosyllable which falls in such a case with so delicious a music upon the ear and sinks down with so exquisite a thrill of pleasure into the heart. Yes! The word was spoken—nor did she wish it recalled. And now for the first time did Joce- lyn venture to glide his arm around that sylph-like form and press those lips that were until that mo- ment virgin of the kiss of man. Blushing and trembling, the maiden received the caress that ratified the vows pledged to her by the devoted and adoring Jocelyn: and then how proud—oh! how proud did he feel in the consciousness that he owned the love and possessed the heart whose pure feelings now shone én sweet irradiation upon that angelic countenance | For some hours did they rove together in the garden—those hours gliding away as if they were only minutes: and then they parted—but with smiles, because they knew that they should soon meet again. And on the monrew they thus met— and for the two or three days following in the same | manner: and on the fourth day Jocelyn no longer refused to remain and partake of the frugal repast COMICLOOKS Ce)