He found the night dark, and the heavens charged with threatening
vapour, which in that climate was the infallible forerunner of a gust.
Stimulated no less by the unpropitious aspect of the skies, than by
his secret uneasiness, he quickened his pace, making long and rapid
strides in the direction of the cottage of Inesella. Twenty times he
stopped, fancying that he caught glimpses of the fairy form of Inez,
tripping across the grounds, on her return to the mansion-house, and
as often he was obliged to resume his course, in disappointment. He
reached the gate of the cottage, knocked, opened the door, entered,
and even stood in the presence of the aged nurse, without meeting the
person of her he sought. She had already left the place, on her return
to her father's house! Believing that he must have passed her in the
darkness, Middleton retraced his steps to meet with another
disappointment. Inez had not been seen. Without communicating his
intention to any one, the bridegroom proceeded with a palpitating
heart to the little sequestered arbour, where he had overheard his
bride offering up those petitions for his happiness and conversion.
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