And a wild longing grew in her for the morrow and safety in her
lover's arms.
And he--alas! that hapless lover!--was lying there in the haw-haw, with
broken ankle and damaged head, half recovering consciousness in the
pouring rain, but unable to stir or climb from his low bed, or even to
cry aloud enough to make anyone hear him. And so at last the night came,
and the pure moonlight, and when her usual evening duties were over with
her aunts, Halcyone was free to go to bed.
She opened her window wide, but she did not seek to wander in the wet
park. John would not be there, and she must rest, so as to be fair for
him when tomorrow they should start on life's sweet journey--together.
But her heart was not quiet. All her prayers and pure thoughts seemed to
bring no peace, and even when, after a while, she fell into a sleep, it
was still troubled.
And thus the day dawned that was to have seen her wedding!
She told herself that the dull, sullen oppression she awoke with was the
result of the storm in the night, and with firm determination she
banished all she could of heaviness, and got through her usual
avocations until the moment came for her to start for the oak avenue
gate.
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