The gentle dews distilling through the
pores of the granite congeal in the first frost and rend the rock. I
would have difficulty, Miss Eloise, in pardoning such an offence to you,
yourself. Ah, yes, that would be impossible, by Heaven!"
Eloise laughed in her charming way, and said,--
"But, Mr. Marlboro', would it not be an admirable lesson to your people,
if Vane were sold?"
"A lesson to teach them all to go and do likewise, eh, Marlboro'?" said
St. George, passing, with Miss Humphreys on his arm.
"I have never sold, I never sell, a slave," replied Marlboro', in his
placid tone; but St. George was out of hearing. "Yet, Miss
Eloise,--if--if you will accept him"----
"Mr. Marlboro'! Indeed? Truly indeed? How happy you make me!"
"And you can make me as happy,--happier, by the infinity of heaven over
earth!"
"But ought I to accept such a gift?" asked Eloise, oblivious of his last
speech. "But can I?--may I?"--as St. George's warning stole into her
memory.
"Most certainly you can! most certainly you shall! he is yours!" And
before Eloise could pour forth one of her multitudinous thanks, he had
moved away.
Marlboro's, however, was not that noble nature that spurns to beg at the
moment when it grants. Directly, he had wheeled about, and with an eager
air was again beside her.
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