And now, in the warm glow of a pleasant evening, just before dew-fall, Charley Vining was leading his fair betrothed3 along alley4 after alley, her light dress rustling5 from time to time among the first-fallen leaves. Hours upon hours they had spent alone together during her return to health; but never till this eve had Ella felt so great a tremor6 as that which now pervaded7 her frame. Was it that his eyes had spoken more eloquently9 than usual? She could not say; but now that he halted by the tree from which a rose had once been plucked, and led her to the garden-seat, there was no resistance, and she suffered him to draw her to his side closer, closer, closer still, till her fair hair mingled10 with his crisp curls, and her soft breath played upon his cheek.
“My own,” he cried softly, but in tremulous tones, “six months have passed now since I made you a promise.”
“Yes,” she whispered, as her hands rested upon his shoulder; and she nestled closer to his broad breast, dove-like in the gentleness and aspect of seeking protection where she knew she would be safe.
“I have kept the promise,” he said again. “Yes,” she replied, “to forgive, as we hope to be forgiven.”
There was silence then for a few moments before he spoke8 again.
“And now,” he said, “I claim my reward. Ella dearest, my own, can you forgive my weakness, my doubts, my boyish folly11?”
“Forgive?” she said; and as she gazed up in his face there was a look of proud joy before her eyes sank, and her head drooped12, blushing before his loving glance.
“I was weak, I own, mad; but tell me, Ella dearest. I have been patient.”
His voice was low as he pressed her still closer to his heart.
“Tell me,” he said, “tell me when;” and his voice had sunk to a whisper.
“Charley—husband,” she whispered, raising her eyes once more to his, “I am yours—when you will!”
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1 tints | |
色彩( tint的名词复数 ); 带白的颜色; (淡色)染发剂; 痕迹 | |
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2 clump | |
n.树丛,草丛;vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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3 betrothed | |
n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
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4 alley | |
n.小巷,胡同;小径,小路 | |
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5 rustling | |
n. 瑟瑟声,沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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6 tremor | |
n.震动,颤动,战栗,兴奋,地震 | |
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7 pervaded | |
v.遍及,弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8 spoke | |
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
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9 eloquently | |
adv. 雄辩地(有口才地, 富于表情地) | |
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10 mingled | |
混合,混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 ); 混进,与…交往[联系] | |
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11 folly | |
n.愚笨,愚蠢,蠢事,蠢行,傻话 | |
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12 drooped | |
弯曲或下垂,发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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