Volume II Part 33 (2/2)
And he handed e to refuse After that he left us I went away reed with C---- C---- that ould go to the Zuecca Garden on the following day
I was punctual, and love exciting ree I foresaould happen on that day I had engaged a box at the opera, and ent to our garden until the evening As it was a holiday there were several s unwilling to mix with other people we iven to us, and to go to the opera only towards the end of the perforood supper We had seven hours to spend together, andfriend re to us She threw off her disguise and sat onme that I had completed the conquest of her heart bythe supper with her brother; but all our conversation was acco more and more ardent
”Did you see,” she said to me, ”what my brother did to Madame C---- when she placed herself astride on his knees? I only saw it in the looking-glass, but I could guess what it was”
”Were you not afraid ofyou in the same manner?”
”No, I can assure you How could I possibly fear such a thing, knowing how much you love me? You would have huer have loved you We ait until we are married, e not, dear? You cannot realize the extent of the joy I felt when I heard you speak to my mother as you did! We will love each other for ever But will you explain to arters?”
”Is there any motto upon them? I was not aware of it”
”Oh, yes! it is in French; pray read it”
Seated on arters while I was unclasping the other, and here are the two lines which I found eht to have read before offering them to her:
'En voyant chaque jour le bijou de ma belle, Vous lui direz qu'Amour veut qu'il lui soit fidele'
Those verses, rather free I , and my mirth increased when, to please her, I had to translate theirAs it was an idea entirely new to her, I found it necessary to enter into particulars which lighted an ardent fire in our veins
”Now,” she observed, ”I shall not dare to shew arters to anybody, and I ahtful, she added,
”Tellthat those lucky garters have a privilege which perhaps I shall never enjoy Hoish myself in their place: I may die of that wish, and die miserable”
”No, dearest, for I am in the same position as you, and I ae As far as I am concerned, I am ready to become your wife to-morrow if you wish it We are both free, and ht, for he would be bound to consent for the sake of his honour But I wish to give hi for your hand, and after that everything will soon be ready It ht be in a week or ten days”
”So soon? You will see that ”
”Perhaps he is right”
”No; I a, and I a coals, and I felt that it was ier the ardent fire which was consu me
”Oh, my best beloved!” I exclaimed, ”do you feel certain ofyou? Are you sure that you will never repent being ; for you could not wish to e take place now Let God alone receive our es; we cannot have a better witness, for He knows the purity of our intentions Let us e our faith, let us unite our destinies and be happy We will afterwards legalize our tender love with your father's consent and with the ceremonies of the Church; in the mean time be mine, entirely mine”
”Dispose of me, dearest I promise to God, I promise to you that, from this very moment and for ever, I will be your faithful wife; I will say the same to my father, to the priest ill bless our union--in fact, to everybody”
”I take the sa, and I can assure you that we are now truly married Come to my arms! Oh, dearest, complete my felicity!”