Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-10-24
CHAPTER. VI

1t was lonely, indeed, after his depar-
ture but Lena busted herself with arrange
ments for her journey, and Lady Leonore
had little time to spend in thought, for
Sir Lawrence was her almost constant COM
panion, either at Elvyn Hall or at Lady
Greyson's. A change evidently had pas.
sed over her of late. i Her heart seemed to
have softened, her pride to have yielded.
The olden light of happiness came back
into her eyes, and the olden smile to her
lips, in the presence Of Lawrence Beau
mont. She was kind as sister to Lena,
and even the servants at the hall knew that
change had come over her spirit, her ac-
cents were so sweet and low, and her bear
ing SO gentle. Happiness is, indeed, a
great beauti6er, and this new mood well
became her.
Did Sir Lawrence Beaumont know his
power? All, could he fail to detect the
growing softness of the tone, the brighten
ingof the eye?
Let us walk, dear lady, he said one
night as the sun was setting behind the
) great hills that bordered Eyanshire on the
west. He was to leave the next day with
/ Lena, fer his friends at home were impa-
t tiently waiting his return with Edward 8
} child the lost and found.
! It was sunset as [ said He led the La
: dy Leonore through the winding paths,
r through those familiar garden walks, and
a heneath the arching boughs of summer
: He plucked for her the fragrant flowers on
: either side as they went along; he talked
d Of the beauty of the evening And now
e they had, unconsciously as it were, reach
). ed the little spring at the foot of the gar
! den. Leonore shrunk back, and the hand
which lay on his arm trembled percepti-
e bly,. He prisoned it in his own, and stood
face to face with her. She felt his glance
d upon her, reading her very soul, and hel
l. long lashes drooped over her flushed cheek.
,r Lady Leonore,' he said solemnly, q
leave you tomorrow. Do you bid me GO
E. forever? do you bid me live out anothe1
eighteen years as have lived the last fol
'. your sake, or do you yield me the grea
ID treasure of your heart, and come to my DO
som as bride, beloved and cherished, O
ID how faithfully? Can you leave the home
of your ancestors, can you forsake all an,
trust to my love alone for happiness /? w
" are no longer young he continued, .
~ ~ cannot WOO you with the lighter gallantrie
" of youth, but can bring to you heart a
.. true as ever beat in a manly BOSOM
He released her hand and stepped bacl
.s- pace. Before God weigh it well, Leo
more, and answer me! Will you como t
a. me, my bride, my beloved?' He held GU
# his arms
" She lifted her head proudly and calml,
A smile broke over her face. The stron
oe man trembled.
". Lawrence Beaumont, loved you whe
I sent you from me, but pride was strongt
rh than love. / have lost none of that prid
Mt in the years we have been parted
His arms dropped and he turned away
ND Stay! she cried, have lost none
tb that pride, but and her face softene
20 1T has taken another form. The Low
For whom I rejected through pride. It
i enough for me that his heart is noble /;
o care not for his rank
az av She came firmly to his side. His arr
ew enclosed her, his eyes looked into hers,
,se glorious smile broke over his face.
'Then you love me, Leonore, obscu
i'm. and unknown as have seemed to you !.
as. What if were noble by birth and rank
as. he asked, holding her back to look into
face with his dark, proud eyes!
att From the window Lena saw them ;