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._

'He dared not speak, he dared not move; _but pressing a ringlet of hair, which had escaped its band, to his lips, waited silently_.

'"Yes, yes; I think--it may,--" at last she muttered; but so confusely, as scarcely to be distinguishable.

'Fitzeustace remained rooted in rapturous attention, listening.

'"_I thought, I thought he looked as if he could love me" articulated the sleeping Eloise. "Perhaps, though he cannot love me, he may allow me to love him.--Fitzeustace!_"

'On a sudden again were changed the visions of her slumbers; terrified, she started from sleep and cried, "Fitzeustace."