Like the anguish of the parting, the glorious ecstasy of the meeting of the lovers may be imagined, but cannot be described.
“Dear Edward,” said the maiden, as soon as they were alone, “Dr. Holmes has told me all, and you have more than realized my wildest and most extravagant hopes.”
“Say not so, Mary! indeed you should rather take credit to yourself, for if I have been swayed by any other motive than love of country, it has been to prove myself worthy of your rare affection.”
“It was ever so with you, Edward—you first excite our admiration, and then ascribe to others the fruits of your own good deeds.”
“Nay, sweet girl, you wrong yourself and me. Tell me, what is the body without the soul?”
“An inanimate lump of clay—but why the question?”
“Because to me you are what the soul is to the body—the life which animates and the spirit which directs it—you are at once my inspiration and my hope—the burthen of my thoughts, the aim and object of all my aspirations.”
“Hush, Edward, this cannot, nay, I would not have it to be true; let us change the theme.” She laid her hand upon his mouth as she spoke—but what maiden was ever yet displeased with the devotion of a favored lover?
In the course of their conversation, Talbot learned that Mr. Gillespie had completed his arrangements, and was on the look out for a vessel to convey himself and family to the United States. The former was of course anxious to accompany them, and in the midst of happiness was, perhaps, the most impatient of them all, for Mr. Gillespie would not consent to his daughter’s marriage before she had seen her relatives at home: Perhaps, too, he wished to inquire more particularly than he had yet been enabled to do, into the character and circumstances of the man he was about to receive as his son-in-law. He knew him to be brave and intelligent, and of frank and winning manners, but he knew nothing more—the captain of the ship, when he dined with him, having answered his questions in general terms of commendation.
They waited for a long time in vain. So ruinous had the war become to American commerce, that for months not a vessel from the United States had visited the island.