"
"_Creo que si_: Hulda, let me kiss you!"
"Yes, if you dare."
She gave him that pure, soul-driven, child's strong look again, exerting
all the influence she had ever felt she exercised over him.
Nevertheless he kissed her for the first time:
"To-day, _bonito_, I dare to kiss thee. Believe me, my kiss is a tender
one."
"Yes, sir. There is something like a father in it. Oh, my father, art
thou in heaven?"
"If there be such a place, wild-flower, I think he is."
"Oh, thank you, Captain Van Dorn. There may you also be and find the
faith I feel in my one day's love on earth. I pray for you every day."
"_Ayme_, poor weakling! Pray now for thyself: if thou canst save thyself
sinless a brief day or two, it may be well for thee and Levin. Thy
grandmother is dreadful in her joys this night."
"I can die," said Hulda, "if Levin be saved."
He kissed her again, and something wet dropped down his blushes.
"Eternal love!" he sighed; "I've lost it."
CHAPTER XXX.
AFRICA.
The Captain took his place at the reins, his picturesque velvet jacket,
wide hat, bright hair, and gay shirt, thighings, belt, and boots,
deserving all Patty Cannon's encomiums as he made a polite adieu and
threw his whip like a thunderbolt, and a cheer rose from the discarded
volunteers loitering about the tavern as he drove Joe Johnson and Levin
away.
The road was nearly dead level for five miles, but, being the old
travelled road from Laurel and the south to Easton, and pointing towards
Baltimore, numerous farms and clearings were seen, and tobacco-fields
alternated with the dry corn and new-ploughed wheat patches.
Pages:
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441