Port-Gibson herald., 1842-09-08


sought its covert again to hide the burning
bushes that glowed upon her throbbing
brow, had not her trembling limbs forbid
den the contemplated flight, while her
faithless tongue scarce allowed her to fall
ter forth
Il had hoped it was my father, return
ing from his labor in the Valleys
The intruder hesitated not to spring
lightly to the maiden's side, and clasping
one hand within his own to place his other
arm around her slender waist, as half fear
ful Of her vanishing, or half playfuliy 10
support her.
Had hoped, LOUISE" he exclaimed
reproachfully-''am then unwecome as
unexpected? Mclhinks, after the toll
have undergone to bask me once more in
the light of those eyes, SO cold a reception
is undcserved. Nay, coy one,'' lie added,
as Louise quietly disengaged hel form
from his encircling arm, ''you do not en-
,irely escape me-" and he frightened with
gentle pressure his grasp upon her hand.
But Louise had recovered from the mo-
mentary embarrassment occasioned BY
surprise mingled with some wilder emo
tions, and there was playfulness in her
tones as erading reply TO the reproach
implied in his question, she said
Il looked for yon among the dukes
hunters as they galloPped by here about
sunset, but your stced led them not as was
wont-your eye glanced not as usual from
the front Of the gallant array, and my bu-
sy fancy whispered me that Robert had
forgotten his cottage bird and was bowling
II the Foot-stool Of some hgh-born lady Il
the French or English court"
Z Cruel! thou knowest we'll each lowest
note of his cottage bird is dearcr to Rob-
ert than the Warmect smile Or spoken
praise of the noblest lady whose satined
foot Ger trod palacc-hall or whose now-
ing curls were bound by the diamond
sprinkled tilletn
lie paused for a moment to gaze fondly
in her face, and when he again resumed,
his voice was soltened into tenderness,
and had lost portion Of that reckless in.
tonation which peculiarly characterized It.
"Dost remember, fairest, the night
when every window and portal of yonder
tower streamed through the foliage that
half-curtains it a joyous light far over the
bosom Of darkness, and every breeze that
swept oyer'the town was burdened with
reyelry-that night when every retainer
from the bearer of the lance to the mean
est serf, quaffcd loud and deep to the noble
sister OF Canute, the dukes English bride
1t was upon this spot that one whose pre-
sence was missed in the banquet hall, who
fled from the tumult of mirth which for
once he could not enjoy, found you, Louise,
pensiVe and alone. 1t was here, with that
same sky bending above, scarce fairer or
more pure than thine own thoughts, and
yon same bright orb to witness and TO
smile approval, as it seemeth even now to
do, he plighted to you the homage of a
heart which had long been a temple filled
but with the presence Of thine image, and
listened with rapture to the ayoWal that
Robert, the dukes chief huntsman, was
far from Indifferent in the eyes of the
farest maiden in Falaise."
Again he paused, ard Louise murmured
as if half-unconscious of what she was
saying
"The peasants in the vineyard and the
cottage are loud in their praises Of the no
bic English lady"
Her companion drew himself quickly
back, as if to hide the expression which he
felt was quivering in the muscles Of his
lip, and flashing from his eye; a moon
beam stealing through the leaves, fell that
instant upon his bold and handsome coun-
tenance as it was half-upturned, showing
each well-formed feature at the same time
that it reveoled the traces of a scarce
goyernable passion, and of wildness Of
mood which had gained for their possessor
the sobriquet of lie Dioble. The night
breeze rustled the leaves, and that beam
was ag0in intercepted; but scarce less
quickly had his features assumed their
composure and his voice its winning ten
derness.
"Hush, Louise, you must not speak her
praises to the duke. Start not-you have
of late truly surmised that the almost un-
known hunter who has won thy youthful
loye-and that he he has won it each leaf
around us and each star above US is a ST.
lent witness-bears a title he would not
exchange for any other less than king
That title he may not share with you: a
cursed policy has given it to another; but
he here offers you all that he still can call
his own, his heart and his protection. Be
but his, and here, where first he hispered
his vows, he swears by every thing that is
pure and holy-by thyself and the love he
bears thee-by his honor and blythe sword
of his fathef-that thou and thine shall be
honored and esteemed above all others in
this wide domain. | read in thine eye,
gentle one, what thou art about to say.
Thy father, / would not sadden thee, but
thy father is advanced ia years. A short
time, a very short time, and the valley
sod may rest lightly on his breast; then,