With this view of the propriety of his conduct, Julia was filled with
the desire to let him know that she approved of what he had done.
Surely, if any thing can be mortifying to a lover, thought our heroine,
it must be to see a rival save the life of his mistress, while imperious
duty chains him to another task.
Young as Julia was, she had already learnt, that it is not enough for
our happiness that we have the consciousness of doing right, but it is
necessary that others should think we have done so too.
Accordingly, early the following morning she arose, and wandered around
the house, in hopes that chance would throw her lover in her way, and
give her an opportunity of relieving his mind from the load of
mortification under which she knew he must be labouring. It was seldom
that our heroine had been in the public bar-room of a tavern--but, in
gliding by the door, she caught a glimpse of Antonio in the bar; and,
impelled by her feelings, she was near him before she had time to
collect her scattered senses. To be with Antonio, and alone, Julia felt
was dangerous; for his passion might bring on a declaration, and betray
them both to the public and vulgar notice.--Anxious, therefore, to
effect her object at once, she gently laid her hand on his arm--Antonio
started and turned, while the glass in his hands fell, with its
contents, untasted, on the floor.
"Rest easy, Antonio," said Julia, in the gentlest possible tones; "to me
your conduct is satisfactory, and your secret will never be exposed." So
saying, she turned quickly, and glided from the room.
"As I hope to be saved," said Antonio, "I meant nothing wrong--but
should have paid the landlord the moment he came in"--but Julia heard
him not. Her errand was happily executed, and she was already by the
side of her aunt. On entering the carriage, Julia noticed the eye of
Antonio fixed on her with peculiar meaning, and she felt that her
conduct had been appreciated.--From this time until the day of their
arrival at the house of Mr. Miller, nothing material occurred. Antonio
rose every hour in the estimation of Julia, and the young lady noticed a
marked difference in her lover's conduct towards her. A few miles before
they reached the dwelling, Miss Emmerson observed--
"To-morrow will be the twentieth of September; when I am to know who
will be my companion for the winter, Miss Miller or Katherine."
"Ah! aunt, you may know that now, if I am to decide," said Julia, "it
will be Anna, my Anna, surely."
Her manner was enthusiastic, and her voice a little louder than usual.
Antonio turned his head, and their eyes met. Julia read in that glance
the approbation of her generous friendship. Miss Emmerson was a good
deal hurt at this decision of her niece, who, she thought, knowing her
sentiments, would be induced to have been satisfied with the visit to
Anna, and taken Katherine for the winter. It was with reluctance that
the aunt abandoned this wish, and, after a pause, she continued--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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