Very soon after this embarrassing explanation, Julia received a letter
from her friend that was in no way distinguishable from the rest, except
that it contained the real name of Regulus, which she declared to be
Henry Frederick St. Albans. If Charles was at a loss to discover Julia's
hidden love, Julia herself was equally uncertain how to know who this
Mr. St. Albans was. After a vast deal of musing, she remembered that
Anna was absent from school without leave one evening, and had returned
alone with a young man who was unknown to the mistress. This incident
was said, by some, to have completed her education rather within the
usual time. Julia had herself thought her friend indiscreet, but on the
whole, hardly treated--and they left the school together. This must have
been Mr. St. Albans, and Anna stood fully exculpated in her eyes. The
letter also announced the flattering fact, that Antonio had already left
the country, ordering his servants and horses home, and that he had gone
to New-York with the intention of hovering around Julia, in a mask, that
she could not possibly remove, during the dangers of their expected
journey. Anna acknowledged that she had betrayed Antonio's secret, but
pleaded her duty to her friend in justification. She did not think that
Julia would be able to penetrate his disguise, as he had declared his
intentions so to conceal himself, by paint and artifice, as to be able
to escape detection. Here was a new source of pleasure to our heroine:
Antonio was already on the wing for the city, perhaps arrived--nay,
might have seen her, might even now be within a short distance of the
summer-house where she was sitting at the time, and watching her
movements. As this idea suggested itself, Julia started, and
unconsciously arranging her hair, by bringing forward a neglected curl,
moved with trembling steps towards the dwelling. At each turn of the
walk our heroine threw a timid eye around in quest of an unknown figure,
and more than once fancied she saw the face of the god of music peering
at her from the friendly covert of her aunt's shrubbery--and twice she
mistook the light green of a neighbouring cornfield, waving in the wind,
for the coat of Antonio. Julia had so long associated the idea of her
hero with the image in her bosom, that she had given it perfect
identity; but, on more mature reflection, she was convinced of her
error: he would come disguised, Anna had told her, and had ordered his
servants home; where that home was, Julia was left in ignorance--but she
fervently hoped, not far removed from her beloved aunt. The idea of a
separation from this affectionate relative, who had proved a mother to
her in her infancy, gave great pain to her best feelings; and Julia
again internally prayed that the residence of Antonio might not be far
distant.--What the disguise of her lover would be, Julia could not
imagine--probably, that of a wandering harper: but then she remembered
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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