Part 72 (1/2)
”Thank God!” murmured Beatrice, fervently ”_He_ has one sorrow less
Did _he_ save you?”
”He,” said Edith, ”of whom you speak does not know that I am alive, nor do I knohere he is Yet some day ill perhaps itate yourself too ht you here is one ould lay down his life for yours, dearest--he is Paolo Langhetti”
”Langhetti!” said Beatrice ”Oh, God be thanked!”
”And she who has taken you to her heart and home is his sister”
”His sister Teresa, of wholy? Ah! God is kinder to h I had died and have awaked in heaven”
”But noill speak no more, and you itation Rest, and another time you can ask what you please”
Edith turned away and walked to one of the here she looked out pensively upon the sea
Frohetti's sister seemed to her almost like an old friend since she had been associated with some of her most pleasant memories An atmosphere of love was around her: the poor sufferer inhaled the pure and life-giving air, and strength cath she was able to sit up, and then Langhetti saw her He greeted her with all the ardent and i a characteristic of his impulsive and affectionate nature Then she saw Despard
There was so about this e which she had of the mysterious fate of his father did not repel her from him A wonderful and subtle sympathy seemed at once to arise between the two The stern face of Despard assuenial expression when he saw her His tone was gentle and affectionate, almost paternal
[Illustration: ”AS BEATRICE OPENED HER EYES AFTER HER LONG UNCONSCIOUSNESS SHE LOOKED AROUND IN WONDER”]
What was the feeling that arose within her heart toward this man? With the one for her Father who had inflicted on his father so terrible a fate, how did she dare to look hie words with him? Should she not rather shrink away as once she shrank froht a strange peace and calm over her soul His influence was e company he seemed to her to be the centre and the chief
To Beatrice Edith was an impenetrable mystery Her whole manner excited her deepest reverence and at the saest curiosity The fact that she was _his_ sister would of itself have won her heart; but there were other things about her which affected her strangely
Edith e, far-off air, an air at once full of gentle affection, yet preoccupied Her manner indicated love, yet the love of one as far above the children whom he loved ”Her soul was like a star and dwelt apart”
Paolo seemed more like an equal; but Paolo himself approached equality only because he could understand her best He alone could enter into communion with her Beatrice noticed a profound and unalterable reverence in his ht pay a mother, yet more delicate and more chivalrous All this, however, was beyond her comprehension
She once questioned Mrs Thornton, but received no satisfaction Mrs
Thornton looked mysterious, but shook her head
”Your brother treats her like a divinity”
”I suppose he thinks she is so more than mortal”
”Do you have that awe of her which I feel?”
”Yes; and so does every one I feel toward her as though she belonged to another world She takes no interest in this”