The Vale of Cedars by Grace Aguilar
page 90 of 327 (27%)
page 90 of 327 (27%)
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beautiful face! there is no thought of evil there, I'd stake my
existence. He is tormented in his mind about something, poor youth; but his eyes are too bright and his smile too sad for any thing evil." "Hold your foolish tongue: you women think if a man is better looking than his fellows, he is better in every respect--poor fools as ye are; but as for this Englisher, with such a white skin and glossy curls, and blue eyes--why I'd be ashamed to show myself amongst men--pshaw--the woman's blind." "Nay, Viego Pedro, prejudice has folded her kerchief round your eyes, not mine," retorted the old dame; and their war of words concerning the merits and demerits of their unconscious lodger continued, till old Pedro grumbled himself off, and his more light-hearted helpmate busied herself in preparing a tempting meal for her guest, which, to her great disappointment, shared the fate of many others, and left his table almost untouched. To attempt description of Stanley's feelings would be as impossible as tedious; yet some few words must be said. His peculiarly enthusiastic, perhaps romantic disposition, had caused him to cling tenaciously to the memory of Marie, even after the revelation of a secret which to other men would have seemed to place an impassable barrier between them. To Arthur, difficulties in pursuit of an object only rendered its attainment the more intensely desired. Perhaps his hope rested on the conviction not so much of his own faithful love as on the unchangeable nature of hers. He might have doubted himself, but to doubt her was impossible. Conscious himself that, wrong as it might be, he could sacrifice every thing for her--country, rank, faith itself, even the prejudice of centuries, every thing but honor--an |
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