Unadulterated, VII

One sultry morning Lady Prew grew faint: So, to the cot, young Arnold ran t’acquaint His uncle; for, as usual ’bout that hour, He’d ta’en his pleasurable cottage tour: Surprised, indeed, was he to see the youth! “There’s something wrong,” he said; “come, tell me truth!” So then the boy drew forth, and ’gan to say— “Dear aunt is taken ill; but uncle, pray Don’t be alarm’d:” when lo! he ’spied (between The quaint old settle, and a kind of screen, Which hid a bed,) the lovely cottage queen: Who, when she saw the gentle youth advance, Had thither fled, and sought t’avoid his glance: Her dark-blue eyes shone in that sombre light Like glow-worms spangling in the depth of night: He saw!—he felt a smart impulsive move!— And from that hour he sought t’improve his love. The old man call’d the “lassie” forth and said “There, Arnold, is she not a pretty maid?— She has the work of all the house to do, Yet always clean: come, Arnold, we must go.” The uncle dreamt not that his nephew’s heart Was smitten, wounded with love’s keenest dart: He little thought it—that henceforth this girl, Of humble birth, would be so rich a pearl To his “dear boy:” it never cross’d his brain The youth so soon would wander there again; And there to press her tiny hand in his, (The while implanting on her cheek a kiss,) And leaving in that hand a valued ring,— That when she saw ’t she might, remembering Some future day the giver, say—“Ah me! How oft I’ve thought, and still shall think, of thee! Thou art a treasure—O, thou beauteous gem! I’ll kiss thee now and think I’m kissing him: Perhaps it’s but a dream, yet shall mine eyes For e’er behold him in this pretty prize.”

At Westonbury Hall, the “squire’s” mansion.