“Vi, Edward Kennedy is in that little dell there, behind the trees; he has come, he says, to bid you good-bye.”
The sudden announcement startled her, but she only leaned on Cyril’s shoulder, and walked on, while he almost heard the beating of her heart.
“We will stay here, Violet; you see him there.” Cyril pointed to a tree, against whose trunk Kennedy was leaning, with his eyes bent upon the ground, looking at the red splashes on the withered leaves, and the golden buds embroidered on “elf-needled mat of moss.” Hearing the sound of footsteps he raised his head, and a moment after he was by Violet’s side.
Taking her hand without a word, while her bosom shook with deep sobs as she saw his pale face and maimed hand, he led her to the gnarled and serpentine roots of a great oak, and seated her there, while he sat lowly at her feet upon the red ground, “With beddings of the pining umbrage tinged.”
How was it that she did not shrink from him? How was it that she seemed content to rest close beside him, and suffered her hand to rest upon his shoulder as he stooped? Did she love him still after all? Had Julian deceived him with the assertion of her acquiescence in the termination of their engagement? A strange rush of new hope filled his heart. He would test the true state of her affections.
“I have come,” he said, in that tone of voice which was so dear to her remembrance—“I have come, Violet, to bid you farewell for ever. Since you have rejected me, I have neither heart nor hope, and I shall leave England as soon as I may go.”
The tears were falling fast from her blue eyes. “Oh, Edward,” she said, “why do you bid me farewell? Do you not think that I love you still?”
“Still, Violet? You love me, the ruined, dishonourable, disgraced—the—” She would not hear the dreadful word, but laid her finger on his lip.
“Oh, hush, Edward! Those words are not for you. You may have sinned; they tell me you have sinned. But have you not repented too, Edward? Have the lessons of sickness and anguish taught you nothing? I am sure they have. I could not wed one who was living an evil life, but now I see your true self once more.”
“Then you love me still?” The words were uttered in astonishment, and the emotions of unexpected joy almost overpowered him.