left Emily. He told him to repair with all possible speed to his home
--to launch his boat--to row it to the place he had described. "Be
quick," he added, "and you must be in time: if you are, you shall never
know poverty again." The next moment he was already several yards from
the spot. He ran, or rather flew, till he was stopped by the waters. He
rushed in; they were over a hollow between two rocks--they were already
up to his chest. "There is yet hope," thought he, when he had passed the
spot, and saw the smooth sand before him. For some minutes he was
scarcely sensible of existence; and then he found himself breathless at
her feet. Beyond, towards T----- (the small inn I spoke of), the waves
had already reached the foot of the rocks, and precluded all hope of
return. Their only chance was the possibility that the waters had not
yet rendered impassable the hollow through which Falkland had just waded.
He scarcely spoke; at least he was totally unconscious of what he said.
He hurried her on breathless and trembling, with the sound of the booming
waters ringing in his ear, and their billows advancing to his very feet.
They arrived at the hollow: a single glance sufficed to show him that
their solitary hope was past! The waters, before up to his chest, had
swelled considerably: he could not swim. He saw in that instant that
they were girt with a hastening and terrible death. Can it be believed
that with that certainty ceased his fear? He looked in the pale but calm
countenance of her who clung to him, and a strange tranquillity, even
mingled with joy, possessed him. Her breath was on his cheek--her form
was reclining on his own--his hand clasped hers; if they were to die, it
was thus. What would life afford to him more dear? "It is in this
moment," said he, and he knelt as he spoke, "that I dare tell you what
otherwise my lips never should have revealed. I love--I adore you! Turn
not away from me thus. In life our persons were severed; if our hearts
are united in death, then death will be sweet." She turned--her cheek
was no longer pale! He rose--he clasped her to his bosom: his lips