The Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 5 of 5)Burney, Fanny
History
The Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 5 of 5)
Burney, Fanny
France -- History -- Revolution, 1789-1799 -- Refugees -- Fiction; Historical fiction; Refugees -- Fiction; War stories
Innumerable plans, now, varying and short lived, because unsanctioned by
any authority, succeeded to one another, of what measures might be
adopted for their living together immediately. 'For how,' cried Juliet,
'could I, henceforth, sustain an insulated life? How bear to look around
me, again, and see no one whose kindness I could claim? Oh, how support
so forlorn a state, after feeling every sorrow subside on the
bosom,--may I, indeed, say so?--on the loved bosom of a sister?'
Thus, in the grateful transports of sensations as exquisite as they were
sudden and unexpected, Juliet, acknowledged as her sister by Lady Aurora
Granville; and with hopes all alive of the tender protection of a
brother, felt every pulse, once again, beat to happiness; while every
fear and foreboding, though not annihilated, was set aside.
CHAPTER LXXXIX
While time was yet a stranger to regulation, and ere the dial shewed its
passage; when it had no computation but by our feelings, our weariness,
our occupations, or our passions; the sun which arose splendid upon
felicity, must have excited, by its quick parting rays, a surprise
nearly incredulous; while that which gave light but to sorrow, may have
appeared, at its evening setting, to have revolved the whole year. This
period, so long past, seemed now present to Lady Aurora and to Juliet;
so uncounted flew the minutes; so unconscious were they that they had
more than met, more than embraced, more than reciprocated their joy in
acknowledged kindred; that each felt amazed as well as shocked, when a
summons from Mrs Howel to Lady Aurora, told them that the day was fast
wearing, away.
Lady Aurora reluctantly obeyed the call; and in thanksgiving, pious and
delighted, Juliet spent the interval of her absence.
It was not long; she returned precipitately; but colourless, trembling,
and altered, though making an effort to smile: but the struggle against
her feelings ended in a burst of tears; and, again falling upon the neck
of Juliet; 'Oh my sweet sister!' she cried, 'is your persecution never
to end?'
Juliet, though quickly alarmed, fondly answered, 'It is over already!
While that precious appellation comes from your lips,--sweet title of
tenderness and affection!--I feel above every danger!'
Lady Aurora, bitterly weeping, was compelled, then, to acknowledge that
she had been hurried away by Mrs Howel, to be told that a foreigner, ill
dressed, and just arrived from the Continent, was demanding, in broken
English, of every one that he met, some news of a young person called
Miss Ellis.
The exaltation of Juliet was instantly at an end; and, in an accent of
despair, she uttered, 'Is it so soon, then, over!--my transient
felicity!'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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