I thought
with rapture of the bliss I was about to enjoy in having by my side,
throughout life, this charming creature. I trembled at the very thought
that the accident in the wood might not have happened, and I might
never have known her! I was at the parsonage morning, noon, and night.
When not beside _her_ I was riding through the forest at full speed,
with bared brow, laughing lips, and shouts of joy--in a word, my dear
friend, I was as much intoxicated as ever youth was yet, and fed on
froth and moonshine to an extent that was really astonishing!
"There was absolutely nothing to oppose our marriage. My old guardian,
it is true, shook his head, and suggested inquiries into the family,
position, character, etc., of the Mortimers; I was young, wealthy, heir
of one of the oldest families, he said, and sharpers might deceive me.
But all I heard was the word 'sharpers'--and I left my guardian, whose
functions had ceased now, in high displeasure at his unworthy
imputations. That angel a sharper! That pure, devoted creature, guilty
of deception! I fell into a rage; swore never to visit my guardian
again; and returning to the parsonage urged a speedy consummation of
our marriage.
"The fair one was not loth. She indicated that fact by violently
opposing me at first, but soon yielded.
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