The Real Shelley. New Views of the Poet's Life. Vol. 1 (of 2)Jeaffreson, John Cordy
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The Real Shelley. New Views of the Poet's Life. Vol. 1 (of 2)
Jeaffreson, John Cordy
Poets, English -- 19th century -- Biography; Shelley, Percy Bysshe, 1792-1822
'She still gazed upon his countenance. _The visions of his sleep were
changed, for tears came fast from under his eyelids, and a deep sigh
burst from his bosom._
'Thus passed several days: Matilda still watched, with the most
affectionate assiduity, by the bedside of the unconscious Verezzi.
'The physician declared that his patient's mind was yet in too
irritable a state to permit him to see Matilda, but that he was
convalescent.
'One evening she sate by his bedside, and gazing upon the features of
the sleeping Verezzi, felt unusual softness take possession of her
soul--an indefinable tumultuous emotion shook her bosom--_her whole
frame thrilled with rapturous ecstasy, and seizing the hand, which lay
motionless, beside her, she imprinted on it a thousand burning
kisses_.
'"_Ah, Julia! Julia! is it you?" exclaimed Verezzi, as he raised his
enfeebled frame; but perceiving his mistake, as he cast his eyes on
Matilda, sank back and fainted._
CHAPTER IX.
'The soul of Verezzi was filled with irresistible disgust, as,
recovering, he found himself in Matilda's arms. His whole frame
trembled with chilly horror, and he could scarcely withhold himself
from again fainting. He fixed his eyes upon her countenance--they met
hers--an ardent fire, mingled with a touching softness, filled their
orbits.'
THE PAVILION SCENE IN 'ST. IRVYNE.'
'Heedless yet of the beauties of nature, the loveliness of the scene,
they entered the pavilion.
'Eloise convulsively pressed her hand upon her forehead.
'"What is the matter, my dearest Eloise?" inquired Fitzeustace, whom
awakened tenderness had thrown off his guard.
'"Oh! nothing, nothing; but a momentary faintness. It will soon go
off: let us sit down."
'They entered the pavilion.
'"'Tis nothing but drowsiness," said Eloise, affecting gaiety; "'twill
soon go off. I sate up late last night: that I believe was the
occasion."
'"Recline on this sofa, then," said Fitzeustace, reaching another
pillow to make the couch easier, "and I will play some of those Irish
tunes which you admire so much."
'Eloise reclined on the sofa, and Fitzeustace, seated on the floor,
began to play; the melancholy plaintiveness of his music touched
Eloise; she sighed, and concealed her tears in her handkerchief. _At
length she sunk into a profound sleep_; still Fitzeustace continued
playing, noticing not that she slept.
'_He approached. She lay wrapped in sleep: a sweet and celestial smile
played on her countenance and irradiated her features with a tenfold
expression of etheriality._
'_Suddenly the visions of her slumber appeared to have changed; the
smile yet remained, but the expression was melancholy; tears stole
gently from her eyelids:--she sighed._
'_Ah! with what eagerness of ecstasy did Fitzeustace lean over her
form._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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