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184: THE PORTRAIT.
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Chapter Iii. A Few Days After The Imluck...
and some friends of the latter to vhom in the course of the evening * she had been introduced . Cleveland had disappeared ; Master Edward
was in attendance on the blue-eyed English girl , and no one seemed to be taking particular notice either of nie or nay movements . I
considered it an excellent opportunity to try and get a breath of air ; the rooms were becoming hot and crowded . I fancied I felt a slight
current come frorn one of the entrances , so I made my way towards it in the hope of finding a cool spot to rest in for a few moments .
I was , in truth , somewhat faint ; the excitement , the dazzling lendorthe bewildering fancieswere growing oppressive , and I
sp , , wished to be alone , were it only for a few minutes . My supposition had been correct ; the current blew in from an open verandah
running round that part of the building , and leading by a night of broad steps into a garden . I quickly entered itand seeing no one ,
, I ventured to the top of the steps to inhale the fresh midnight air . I soon felt refreshed by the delicious coolness of the place . The
verandah was filled with ilowers , and here and there water sparkled up from miniature fountains . I seated myself by the side of one of
the marble basins , leant my arm on its edge , and looked out . at the moon and starsas silently and solemnly they pursued their destined
path , flinging as , they went a pearly hue on tree and . flower . How long I had thus been looking on the tranquil face of night , my
senses steeped in oblivion of all save the one absorbing yet scarce denned feeling , I knew not . It might have been a moment , it
might have been a year ; with time I seemed to have nothing in common . I had a sense of the infinite ; my soul alike disowned
earth , limitation , time , and space . I was gently awakened from my trance-like state by hearing my
name whispered among the flowers ; at least so it seemed to me . I started , for the sound came as an echo from the past ; as if I heard
the voices of my father and mother blent in one . I again heard the same whisper , like music stealing from a distance , strike on my
sense of sound . I turned round , and saw Cleveland at my side . " Emily" he saidin a subdued tone" do you know that I have
,, , been here ever since I missed you from the ball-room ? " Never before had Mr . Cleveland called me by my name ; a name
associated in my memory with remembrances of childhood , of singing birdshawthorn-treesdaisied nieadosvs , and running
streams . I could , not answer , for the past seemed the present , , and the present became annihilated . He laid his hand gently on
my arm , as it rested on the _edge of the marble fountain . The fact of being there alone with Mr . Cleveland soon recalled me
to my senses . I remembered that , however much people may feel , it is considered weak and silly to perio . it any emotions to be visible
to others , and although it required a strong effort of will , I dashed aside the springing tearsdrew my mantilla closer round me , and
rose from my seat by the , marble fountain . A stray moonbeam
falling on my satin robe and lace-embroidered tunic , aided to dissolve
184: The Portrait.
184 : THE _PORTRAIT .
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Citation
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English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), May 1, 1861, page 184, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01051861/page/40/
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