He would gladly have sent a
message to Eppy before he went, but had no one he could trust with
it: Davie was too much under the influence of his tutor! So he
departed without sign, and Eppy soon imagined he had deserted her.
For a time her tears flowed yet more freely, but by and by she began
to feel something of relief in having the matter settled, for she
could not see how they were ever to be married. She would have been
content to love him always, she said to herself, were there no
prospect of marriage, or even were there no marriage in question;
but would he continue to care for her love? She did not think she
could expect that. So with many tears she gave him up--or thought
she did. He had loved her, and that was a grand thing!
There was much that was good, and something that was wise in the
girl, notwithstanding her folly in allowing such a lover. The
temptation was great: even if his attentions were in their nature
but transient, they were sweet while they passed. I doubt if her
love was of the deepest she had to give; but who can tell? A woman
will love where a man can see nothing lovely. So long as she is able
still to love, she is never quite to be pitied; but when the
reaction comes--?
So the dull days went by.
But for lady Arctura a great hope had begun to dawn--the hope,
namely, that the world was in the hand, yea in the heart of One whom
she herself might one day see, in her inmost soul, and with clearest
eyes, to be Love itself--not a love she could not care for, but the
very heart, generating centre, embracing circumference, and crown of
all loves.
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