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THE PORT11AIT. 319
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 Vii. A Seau.Ch Into Motives Is...
she had accompanied him to see it—and in Ms satisfaction at lier wife admiration did know of the , a good skill painting of the artist 1 when , he she declared saw it . " that " after all , his
Meanwhile Mr . Cleveland became a weekly visitor , and I kept my forced reserve to the best of my ability-. The more he
up relapsed and seemed the Cleveland of old , the more needful I considered it to be that I should maintain my crust of ice intact .
He did not shun me , at our first meeting , but rather sought my society . It is true a flush often passed across his brow , and a
hesitation was apparent in his manner , which gave me intense pain , for I felt as if he accused himself of having done a wrong or of
doing one , and this depressing feeling rendered me at times scarcely conscious of what he was saying . Yetalthough I could not resist
, the fascination of Cleveland , I could prevent him from knowing the power he had over me . I should have scorned myself had I
not been able to retain my self-possession under the supposed circumstances . Had Cleveland , come boldly forward , said he had
done - wrong , and craved pardon , forgiveness would have been at once grantedand I could still have retained some respect
for himand I , should not have been tormented by incertitude . Weeks , rolled onand he ceased to show any outward signs of
embarrassment , assumed , his quiet , unaffected manner , talked of art as he used to do when with us in Paristill unconsciously I lost
my studied formality , and spoke with my former , accustomed earnestness on our favorite theme . I said to myself— " Forget the past ,
and look upon the artist as he is—an agreeable companion . Cast away love dreams and reconcile yourself to realities . " I
imagined I was thus prudently acting , when one evening I was startled from this other delusion "by Cleveland looking very pale
and more agitated than I had ever yet seen him . " Miss Lindores" he whispered in a hurried mannerand in a
, , ve cannot ry low endur voice e this , ""I another must week not remain nonot any another longer hour in / 7 he London continued . I
, , with more vehemence ; "forgive my weakness , in the remembrance of my sincerity . " And before I could utter a single word indicative
of unfeigned surprise , Cleveland wrung my hand almost fiercely , and in an instant left the room .
All were busily conversing , and no one took note of his exit . I alone was conscious of his absenceand a voice seemed to whisper
in iny ear that that absence would , not be brief ; that from that hour I and Clevelandwere for ever separated . A sharp pain made
my heart quiver . I , pressed my hand firmly against it , to enable me to answer a question asked by a gentlemanwhoseeing me
, , disengaged , had kindly come " to have , " as he said , "'a comfortable talk with me in my corner . "
For some time succeeding that memorable evening the world un and real everything or veiled in an it d seemed the sou nd wear of bu a shadowy life cam aspect e mufiie . All d seemed to m y
, sy
The Port11ait. 319
THE PORT 11 AIT . 319
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Citation
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English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), July 1, 1861, page 319, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01071861/page/31/
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