“I thought I recollected you,” she said, a moment after.
“Ah! may I hope that I did not then offend you with my impertinence? But the truth is, I was so struck--pardon me if I say it--with the singular and striking difference between the group of damsels I had seen and THE ONE--the surprise was so great--the pleasure so unlooked for--that--”
The eye of Margaret Cooper brightened, her cheek glowed, and her form rose somewhat proudly. The arch-hypocrite paused judiciously, and she spoke:--
“Nay, nay, Mr. Stevens, these fine speeches do not pass current. You would make the same upon occasion to any one of the said group of damsels, were you to be her escort.”
“But I would scarcely ride back for a second look,” he responded, in a subdued tone of voice, while looking with sad expressiveness into her eyes. These were cast down upon the instant, and the color upon her cheeks was heightened.
“Come,” said she, making an effort, “there is nothing here to interest us.”
“Except memory,” he replied; “I shall never forget the spot.”
She hurried forward, and he joined her. She had received the impression which he intended to convey, without declaring as much--namely, that his return to Charlemont had been prompted by that one glimpse which he had then had of her person. Still, that nothing should be left in doubt, he proceeded to confirm the impression by other suggestions:--
“You promise to show me a scene of strange beauty, but your whole village is beautiful, Miss Cooper. I remember how forcibly it struck me as I gained the ascent of the opposite hills coming in from the east. It was late in the day, the sun was almost setting, and his faintest but loveliest beams fell upon the cottages in the valley, and lay with a strange, quiet beauty among the grass-plats, and the flower-ranges, and upon the neat, white palings.”
“It is beautiful,” she said with a sigh, “but its beauty does not content me. It is too much beauty; it is too soft; for, though it has its rocks and huge trees, yet it lacks wildness and sublimity. The rocks are not sufficiently abrupt, the steeps not sufficiently great; there are no chasms, no waterfalls--only purling brooks and quiet walks.”
“I have felt this already,” he replied; “but there is yet a deficiency which you have not expressed, Miss Cooper.”