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

ng OF 1T all. Leaning from the window
As they descended the hill, she saw only
the beauty around her. Hereyes followed
every bird that rose upon the wing, and
marked every flower that blossomed by the
and ere long she forgot the socie-
ty, forgot herself even and existed only in
the Paradise around her.
Courtnaye Elvyn sat opposite, and lean.
ing back in the carriage, was regarding her
intently. He saw the glow deepening up
on her check, he saw the unconscious light
in her eyes. and he sighed heavily. At
that moment an involuntary exclamation.
of delight, as they came suddenly upon
beautiful river, winding along through
green meadows, and beneath arching
boughs, attracted their attention, and Lena
turned, startled by her own earnestness, to
find every eye fixed upon herself Lady
Greyson smiled as she saw, and understood
her enthusiasm,
What is it, dear child?' she asked,
twining her arm about her. Lena blush
ed, but did not reply. Miss Mervale bent
forward, and answerered for her.
young Mss has never been outside of
her garden walls before, I presume, and
is astonished to find the world so large :
and she curled her lips scornfully as she
sank back in her seat.
Lena felt the insult offered both in words
and tone, and the glow faded from sher
cheek, and the large tears gathered slowly
in her eyes. There was an angry frown
upon Courtnaye Elvyn's brow as he regar-
ded Miss Mervale, which she met with a
most contemptuous smile. Lady North
land was first to speak.
The world seems large to me also, Eli
nor, too large when l find there is often
space for unkindness in it. she said quietly.
The grateful smile upon Elvyn's lips
maddened the naughty Elinor.
Large or small, it is but just that all
should occupy their own stations!' she re-
piled Indignantly.
[ agree with you, Elinor,' was the calm
return, and | regret that some who are
fitted by worth and intelligence for the
highest positions should remain in obscuri-
ty, while others not more gifted, look down
upon them with scorn True nobility is
of the heart aloneP She spoke with much
warmth. ., ..a.... ..s. .
A naughty toss of the head was the on
ly immediate reply, and Elvyn bent for.
ward and entered into conversation with
Lady Greyson, starting topics of interest in
which the others Joined, and soon all were
at their case, save poor Lena and her cruel
tormentor. One was maddened at her own
failure, the other felt less anger at the
speaker than sorrow at the truth of her re-
marks. Gradually, however, Lena Grov.
was led to mingle in the conversation, ant
during the remainder of the ride, Court
naye Elvyn devoted himself delicately tt
dispel her sadness. He had not allowed
himself to speak to her before, lest h.
should betray and deepen the emotion h
felt it necessary to subdue and crush, bu
now he felt compelled, as it were, to shoy
that respect for her which the haught
Miss Mervale would. have denied her.
was but an act of justice on his part.
What pages of lofty sentiment he rea
in her soul that day what blending G
simplicity aud power! He sighed as h
thought of the great walls that rose betwee
: them. To her, he might breathe no vo7
: of love; his very glances must be veiled
his voice tutored into Indifference!
t They reached s. at dusk. She wer
e to her room Immediately after supper, an
D he saw no more of her until the next da,
S Then the party assembled for stroll Q
o the beach. Elvyn was walking with El
: nor Mervale and some others of the con
P pany, when suddenly, Lena, who was
: advance of them with Lady Northlant
stopped, and lifting her hand to her throa
L commenced looking about her with gre'
anxiety. He approached to learn the caus
l 6 Do not let it trouble you, dear Lena
he heard Lady Northland say as ne can
!, near. | will replace it with another.
Alas, it will not be that one VI
y never can know how precious it was to me
4 she cried, clasping her hands, while t
e tears gathered fast in her eyes.
1T He saw those precious tears, he hea
a. that weeping exclamation, and his hea
leaped within him. She saw him, al
er hurried toward him.
M Il have lost them--lost them-my cha
t, and cross 7 she said in broken tones, loc
If ing up earnestly through her tears into
ut face. They we're standing alone for I
st moment. He bent over her tenderly.
- Did you love them so much, dear Len;
ey he whispered eagerly. The tones, mi
er than the words, arrested her attenti,
ar She turned to meet his dark eyes resti
upon her, with an expression that she CO,
res not fail to understand. Her long lasl
Dc- fell, and her heard dropped upon her boso
to as she stood there trembling before him.
YIN In that moment those two hearts VI
ng revealed to each other The veil had be
nd lifted never to be dropped again. O, h
on py moment 0, hearts of joy now hea,
he begins therein earth may come betwe
to tears may wash the light away, sighs n
re- take the place of the new born music
ad- only for time, thank God only to
led time. Heaven is but holier duration
she the love that makes even earth glorious.
in The party came up, but their search
lad ing unsuccessful, they returned to the
his tel. Lena flew to her chamber, and 10
nd ing the door, threw herself on her knees
ur- the bedside. Her heart was throbb
Use tumultuously with joy and grief, love
ot fear, meeting and conflicting. She bul
yht her face in the pillow and wept. She
led lized all things at once-her long-cher
his ed love, its return, her poverty, her OBJ
rity and the utter impossibiGty Of a ur
en- between the young nobleman and his
'es- dener's child. She strove to pray,
go- words came not, and she could only rel
1y. over and over, he loves me = %, God
~ llovoa mo = hut sha could not vat osk