Captain de Haldimar
had even once or twice essayed to introduce the subject
himself, in the hope that some fresh paroxysm, following
their disclosures, would remove the horrible stupefaction
of their senses; but the wild look and excited manner of
Madeline, whenever he touched on the chord of her
affliction, had as often caused him to desist.
Towards the evening, however, her natural strength of
character came in aid of his quiescent efforts to soothe
her; and she appeared not only more composed, but more
sensible of the impression produced by surrounding objects.
As the last rays of the sun were tinging the horizon,
she drew up her form in a sitting position against the
bulwarks, and, raising her clasped hands to heaven, while
her eyes were bent long and fixedly on the distant west,
appeared for some minutes wholly lost in that attitude
of absorption. Then she closed her eyes; and through the
swollen lids came coursing, one by one, over her quivering
cheek, large tears, that seemed to scald a furrow where
they passed. After this she became more calm--her
respiration more free; and she even consented to taste
the humble meal which the young man now offered for the
third time.
Pages:
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553