Chapter 3 - Page 2

after the shopping was finished they found themselves walking towards
the Battery with the fresh sea wind, and the bright sunshine and the joy
of each other's presence all around them.

"Such a miraculous piece of happiness!" the young fellow ejaculated; and
his joy was so evident that Cornelia could not bear to spoil it with any
reluctances, or with half-way graciousness. She fell into his joyous
mood, and as star to star vibrates light, so his soul touched her soul,
through some finer element than ordinary life is conscious of. A
delightsome gladness was between them, and their words had such heart
gaiety, that they seemed to dance as they spoke; while the wind blowing
Cornelia's curls, and scarf, and drapery, was like a merry playfellow.

Now Love has always something in it of the sea; and the murmur of the
tide against the pier, the hoarse voices of the sailor men, the scent of
the salt water, and all the occult unrecognized, but keenly felt life of
the ocean, were ministers to their love, and forever and ever blended in
the heart and memory of the youth and maid who had set their early dream
of each other to its potent witchery. Time went swiftly, and suddenly
Cornelia remembered that she was subject to hours and minutes, A little
fear came into her heart, and closed it, and she said, with a troubled
air, "My mother will be anxious. I had forgotten. I must go home." So
they turned northward again, and Cornelia was silent, and the ardour of
her lover was a little chilled; but yet never before had Cornelia heard
simple conversation which seemed so eloquent, and so full of meanings--
only, now and then, a few brief words; but oh! what long, long thoughts,
they carried with them!

At the gates of her home they stood a moment, and there Hyde touched her
hand, and said, "I have never, in all my life, been so happy. It has
been a walk beyond hope, and beyond expression!" And she lifted her
face, and the smile on her lips and the light in her eyes answered him.
Then the great white door shut her from his sight, and he walked rapidly
away, saying to his impetuous steps--

"An enchanting creature! An adorable girl! I have given her my heart;
and lost, is lost; and gone, is gone forever. That I am sure of. But, by
St. George! every man has his fate, and I rejoice that mine is so sweet
and fair! so sweet! so sweet! so fair!"

Cornelia trembled as she opened the parlour door, she feared to look
into her mother's face, but it was as serene as usual, and she met her
daughter's glance with one of infinite affection and some little
expectancy. This was a critical moment, and Cornelia hesitated slightly.
Some little false sprite put a ready excuse into her heart, but she