The Argosy — page 87: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Eve: An Idyll, 77 Could anything be plainer? The lover's heart beat high with joy. He thought the prize his own, and was profuse in protestations. But then the Countess, half frightened at her own rashness, called to Prudence ; who came unwillingly, loath to quit her own share of the sport; and with many thanks took leave of the worthy folks, whom she had puzzled at least as much as pleased. Ralph longed to follow her, but fearing by too much eagerness to lose the place in her good graces he had gained, he most reluctantly forbore. As they walked towards the cottage Prudence expected her lady to be eager to get back to town.in time for that night's rout, the hackney coach awaiting them; but no. ‘‘I shall not return to-night. Why not sleep here? Your friends sure can keep us one night, and then to- morrow if the sun shines, we will walk down by the river, and listen to the carol of the birds! ’Twill be a pleasant pastime for the nonce.” Prudence was amazed as much as she could be by any new caprice of her capricious mistress ; but this also pleased herself. She en- couraged her lady in the whim. The hackney-coach was dismissed, charged with a message to my lady’s people that she would bide in the country for a time ; and the Countess slept that night a sweeter sleep on her rough pallet than ever on her bed of down, and dreamed most blissful dreams, in which one manly form appeared. The air is fresh, the sky is clear, the green leaves cast a flickering shade, wild-flowers spring up among the grass, sweet sights and sounds are everywhere ; but one thing is wanting to make the scene perfection —an Adam to our Eve. He does not come. She quite forgets that she has risen with the lark, that ’tis but six o’clock ; and who could suppose a maid of any degree, unless obliged by stern necessity, would be afoot at such an hour. Unreasonable woman! She was furious that he was not first at the rendezvous. All the fair landscape took a leaden hue, the birds sang out of tune, the river seemed to stagnate in its course, and, after half an hour's loitering by the stream, indignant and amazed, she proposed to return to the cottage and find some means of going straight to town. Prudence, no way surprised at such sudden change of plans; to which, indeed, she was too well accustomed ; turned her steps to go, when suddenly a man sprang through the copse, looked up and down the stream, and, with a cry of joy, advanced towards them; a handsome rustic, with just enough refinement in his air to set his beauty off to best advantage. And now, whether the previous disappointment enhanced the present pleasure I know not, but certain it is that the fair Countess felt a sudden rush of joy no courtly compliment of knight or squire had ever caused. And truly, what are the gratifications of vanity to the raptures of love? Her face beamed with the joy of her heart; and:never,-perhaps, in all comicbooks.com