"It was this utter immobility on my own part, that ensured
me a continuance of the exquisite happiness I then enjoyed.
The first movement of the startled girl had been to fly
towards her dwelling, which stood at a short distance,
half imbedded in the same clustering roses and honey-suckles
that adorned her bank of moss; but when she remarked my
utter stillness, and apparent absence of purpose, she
checked the impulse that would have directed her departure,
and stopped, half in curiosity, half in fear, to examine
me once more. At that moment all my energies appeared to
be restored; I threw myself into an attitude expressive
of deep contrition for the intrusion of which I had been
unconsciously guilty, and dropping on one knee, and
raising my clasped hands, inclined them towards her in
token of mingled deprecation of her anger, and respectful
homage to herself. At first she hesitated,--then gradually
and timidly retrod her way to the seat she had so abruptly
quitted in her alarm. Emboldened by this movement, I made
a step or two in advance, but no sooner had I done so
than she again took to flight.
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