Oldal 189 [189]
OCR
139 the warmth of your generous nature, this great obstacle to your progress in the world.” “If your inclinations chime with your sense of duty———” Harry began. “They do not,” replied Rose, colouring cei A u Then ae return my love?” said Harry. “Say but that, Rose; say but that, and soften the bitterness of this hard disappointment.” “If I could have done so without doing heavy wrong to him I loved,” rejoined Rose, “ 1 could haye——” “ Have received this declaration very differently ?" said Harry, with great eagerness. “Do not conceal that from me, at least, Rose." “TI could,” said Rose. “Stay,” she added, disengaging her hand. : Why should we spon this painful interview; most painful to me, and yet productive of lasting happiness, notwithstanding ; for it will be happiness to know that I once held the high place in your regard which I now occupy, and every triumph which you achieve in life will animate me with new fortitude and firmness. Farewell, Harry! for as we have met today, we meet no more: but in other relations than those in which this conversation would have placed us, may we be long and happily entwined; and may every blessing that the prayers of a true and earnest heart can call down from where all is truth and sincerity, cheer and prosper you.” 6 Another word, Rose,” said Harry. “ Your reason in your own words. From your own lips let me hear it.” “The prospect before you,” answered Rose firmly, “is a brilliant one; all the honours to which great talents and powerful connections can help men in public life are in store for you. But those connections are proud, and I will neither mingle with such as hold in scorn the mother who gave me life, nor bring dispres’ or failure upon the son of her who 1as so well supplied that mother’s place. In a word,” said the young lady, turnin away as her temporary firmness Sorscok her, “there is a stain upon my name which the world visits upon innocent heads; I will carry it into no blood but my own, and the reproach shall rest alone on me,” 6 One word more, Rose—dear Rose, one more,” cried Harry, throwing himself before her. “If I had been less, less fortunate, as the world would call it,—if some obscure and peaceful life had been my destiny,—if I had been poor, sick, helpless,—would you have turned from me then? or has my probable advancement to riches and honour given this scruple birth?" “Do not press me to reply,” answered Rose. ‘The question does not arise, and never will. It is unfair, unkind, to urge it.” “Tf your answer be what I almost dare to hope it is,” retorted Harry, “it will shed a gleam of happiness upon my lonely way, and light the dreary path before me. It is not an idle thing to do so much, by the utterance of a yn brief words, for one who loves us beyond all else. Oh, Rose, in the name of my ardent and enduring attachment,—in the name of all I have suffered for you, and all you doom me to undergo,—answer me that one question.” “Then if your lot had been differently cast,” rejoined Rose; “if you had been even a little, but not so far above me; if I could have been a help and comfort to you in some humble scene of peace and retirement, and not a blot and drawback in ambitious and distinguished crowds; I should have been spared this trial. I have every reason to be happy, very happy, not but then, Harry, 1 own Í should have been happier.” Busy recollections of old hopes, cherished as a girl long ago, crowded into the mind of while making this avowal ; but they brought tears with them, as old hopes will when they come back withered, and they relieved her. “T cannot help this weakness, and it makes my purpose stronger,” said Rose, extending her a, 6 [ must leave you now, indeed.” “T ask one promise,’ said Harry. “ Once, and only once more,—say within a year, but it may be much sooner,—let me speak to you again on this subject for the last time.” ‘“‘ Not to press me to alter my right determination,” replied Rose, with a melan choly smile: “ it will be useless.” 6 No,” said Harry; “ to hear you repeat it, if you will; finally repeat it. I will lay at your feet whatever of station or fortune I may possess, and if you still adhere to your present resolution, will not seek by word or act to change it.” “Then let it be so,” rejoined Rose, “It is but one pang the more, and by that time I may be enabled to bear it better." She extended her hand agam, but the young man caught her to his bosom, and,
