CHAPTER V. " She speaks→→→ Ö speak again, bright angel! for thou art SHAKSPEARE. It was a night of surpassing beauty, a Grecian night in July, and the lovers lingered longer than usual in their accustomed station on the terrace of Lord Seymour's villa where, amidst a grove of orange and pomegranate, they overlooked the silvery waters of the Ionian sea. Lady Seymour was reclining on a couch within the saloon which opened into the balcony; her husband was writing letters by her side for the English packet. At last he said looking out; "I do hope they are settling the affair to-night; I begin to feel for Herbert being so long detained on his return home, although he is too much in love to feel for himself; but the succession to such an estate brings much business with it, and it is said there is soon to be a dissolution of parliament; he must stand for the county." "My dear Seymour, do not be so dreadfully English as to talk of business, and parliament, and standing for counties on such a night as this-it is quite barbarous. I do believe you have a hankering after these things yourself, that makes you pity Herbert who is much too well employed to think of such dull realities." Lord Seymour smiled, and did not contradict her. He went on: "I cannot help thinking there is something singular in Theresa's con duct; she is evidently attached, deeply attached to Herbert, and yet she looks miserable whenever the time of their union is hinted at. This is not natural nor is it right; she knows the circumstances in which he is placed, and yet she exercises this petty tyranny. I think I must take her to task myself, or at least insist that you do." Lady Seymour, who was beginning to think the same thing herself, although she would not confess it to her husband, promised that if the time for the marriage were not fixed this evening, she would use her influence with Theresa, and represent the business view of the subject; but, she added, "I believe it is the first time, that the word business was ever urged to an Italian ear under a Grecian sky as a reason for hastening a wedding.” At this moment, Herbert entered the room alone, looking as happy as usual, but not, as if he had any thing new to communicate. "What have you done with our fair Moon," said Lady Seymour; "I hope you have not thrown her into the sea as nishment for her obstinacy." a pu "She desired that you would excuse her appearing again to-night. She has gone to her room. Does the packet really sail tomorrow Lord Seymour? Another month gone." "Yes, and your letters are not begun. This won't do, Loraine, in England. Do remember to tell your agent to be active, in case of a dissolution. I suppose you mean to write also to Lady Darcy or your sister." "I intended it, and I was in hopes, I might have fixed the time of my return-but-" "But, the Moon, the inconstant Moon,' wills it not so," said Lady Seymour rising and leaving the room with the resolution of performing her promises to her husband. She proceeded straight to the apartment of Theresa with the intention of being very decided; but the scene that presented itself almost made her start. She found Theresa stretched on the floor, her head supported on the knees of her attendant Zebba, who was anxiously bending over her bathing her temples with eau de Cologne ;her appearance did not so much betoken illness, as suffering from a mental cause. Her usually pale cheek was somewhat flushed, her hands were clasped, and her black glossy hair was thrown quite back from her forehead and fell in ringlets over her shoulders. She was dressed in a full white robe confined round the waist by a broad golden band, the only ornament she wore, and she was altogether so like a beautiful statue coming to life that Lady Seymour could scarcely believe it a reality. 66 My dearest child, what is the cause of this? Leave us, Zebba, I will take your place now," said Lady Seymour drawing a low seat close to Theresa, and placing her head on her lap, while she bent down and kissed her forehead. "What, my own Theresa, has hap pened?" |