"Well! be it
so!" said he to himself, "if this too daring passion must be clipped on
the wing, I have at least the consolation that it soared like the bird
of Jove! But, loveliest of created beings," thought he, looking on
Helen with an expression which, had she met it, would have told her all
that was passing in his soul, "if I am not to be thy love, I will be
thy friend-and live for thee and Wallace!"
Believing that she had read her sentence in what she thought the
triumphant glances of a happy passion, Lady Mar turned from her
daughter-in-law with such a hatred kindling in her heart, she durst not
trust her eyes to the inspection of the bystanders; but her tongue
could not be restrained beyond the moment in which the object of her
jealousy left the room. As the door closed upon Helen, who retired
leaning on the arms of her aunt and Edwin, the countess turned to her
lord; his eyes were looking with doting fondness toward the point where
she withdrew. This sight augmented the angry tumults in the breast of
his wife; and with a bitter smile she said, "So, my lord, you find the
icy bosom of your Helen can be thawed!"
"How do you mean, Joanna?" returned the earl, doubting her words and
looks; "you surely cannot blame our daughter for being sensible of
gratitude.
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