Religion
could not hallow a purer feeling than that which had
impelled the action of the young officer. The very
consciousness of the sacred pledge having been exchanged
over the corpse of his friend, imparted a holiness of
fervour to his mind; and even while he pressed her, whom
he secretly swore to love with all the affection of a
fond brother and a husband united, he felt that if the
spirit of him, who slept unconscious of the scene, were
suffered to linger near, it would be to hallow it with
approval.
"And now," said Clara at length, yet without attempting
to disengage herself,--"now that we are united, I would
be alone with my brother. My husband, leave me."
Deeply touched at the name of husband, Sir Everard could
not refrain from imprinting another kiss on the lips that
uttered it. He then gently disengaged himself from his
lovely but suffering charge, whom he deposited with her
head resting on the bed; and making a significant motion
of his hand to the woman, who, as well as old Morrison,
had been spectators of the whole scene, stole gently from
the apartment, under what mingled emotions of joy and
grief it would be difficult to describe.
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