THE LADY PILGRIM. 87 
another irrevocably bestoived ; and words have 
been spoken which cannot be recalled. Rise, I 
pray you," she continued, withdrawing her hand, 
and motioning him to his feet ; " rise, for I can- 
not endure to see one to whom I am so deeply 
indebted assuming the attitude of a suppliant." 
The duke did not stir. Not a muscle changed ; 
he seemed transfixed to the spot. He folded his 
hands mechanically over his breast, and his large, 
dark eyes seemed dilating with intense emotion. 
One short sentence from the fresh, unchanging lips 
above him had sealed his doom, and crushed 
hopes and aspirations long and fondly enter- 
tained. There was no revocation to be made 
no words to be recalled ; he read it in the clear 
blue eye, in the calm and steady voice, and unfal- 
tering gaze of the maiden before him. 
O, what bitter hours there are in life ! " hours 
which crush the hopes from out young hearts," 
and wring bitter tears from eyes unused to weep- 
ing! moments of agony, when Friendship, and 
Love, and Happiness are so many phantoms, 
rising up and mocking us in our misery. 
The Lady Arabella glanced timidly up to the 
face of her father. He still stood in the centre of 
the room, but his cheek had become ashy in its 
hue, and his eyes were bent upon her more in an- 
ger than in sorrow. As he encountered her gaze, 
he stepped forward, and, laying his hand upon her 
head, spoke. 
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