ADRIENNE AND DJALMA.
The prince had slowly approached Mdlle.de Cardoville.Notwithstanding the impetuosity of the Oriental's passions, his uncertain and timid step-
-timid, yet graceful--betrayed his profound emotion.He did not venture to lift his eyes to Adrienne's face; he had suddenly become very pale, and his finely formed hands, folded over his bosom in the attitude of adoration, trembled violently.With head bent down, he remained standing at a little distance from Adrienne.This embarrassment, ridiculous in any other person, appeared touching in this prince of twenty years of age, endowed with an almost fabulous intrepidity, and of so heroic and generous a character, that no traveller could speak of the son of Kadja-
sing without a tribute of admiration and respect.Sweet emotion! chaste reserve! doubly interesting if we consider that the burning passions of this youth were all the more inflammable, because they had hitherto been held in check.
No less embarrassed than her cousin, Adrienne de Cardoville remained seated.Like Djalma, she cast down her eyes; but the burning blush on her cheeks, the quick heaving of her virgin bosom, revealed an emotion that she did not even attempt to hide.Notwithstanding the powers of her mind, by turns gay, graceful, and witty--notwithstanding the decision of her proud and independent character, and her complete acquaintance with the manners of the world--Adrienne shared Djalma's ****** and enchanting awkwardness, and partook of that kind of temporary weakness, beneath which these two pure, ardent, and loving beings appeared sinking--as if unable to support the boiling agitation of the senses, combined with the intoxicating excitement of the heart.And yet their eyes had not met.
Each seemed to fear the first electric shock of the other's glance--that invincible attraction of two impassioned beings--that sacred fire, which suddenly kindles the blood, and lifts two mortals from earth to heaven;
for it is to approach the Divinity to give one's self up with religious fervor to the most noble and irresistible sentiment that He has implanted within us--the only sentiment that, in His adorable wisdom, the Dispenser of all good has vouchsafed to sanctify, by endowing it with a spark of His own creative energy.
Djalma was the first to raise his eyes.They were moist and sparkling.
The excitement of passionate love, the burning ardor of his age, so long repressed, the intense admiration in which he held ideal beauty, were all expressed in his look, mingled with respectful timidity, and gave to the countenance of this youth an undefinable, irresistible character.Yes, irresistible!--for, when Adrienne encountered his glance, she trembled in every limb, and felt herself attracted by a magnetic power.Already, her eyes were heavy with a kind of intoxicating languor, when, by a great effort of will and dignity, she succeeded in overcoming this delicious confusion, rose from her chair, and said to Djalma in a trembling voice:
"Prince, I am happy to receive you here." Then, pointing to one of the portraits suspended above her, she added, as if introducing him to a living person: "Prince--my mother!"
With an instinct of rare delicacy, Adrienne had thus summoned her mother to be present at her interview with Djalma.It seemed a security for herself and the prince, against the seductions of a first interview--
which was likely to be all the more perilous, that they both knew themselves madly loved that they both were free, and had only to answer to Providence for the treasures of happiness and enjoyment with which He had so magnificently endowed them.The prince understood Adrienne's thoughts; so that, when the young lady pointed to the portrait, Djalma, by a spontaneous movement full of grace and simplicity, knelt down before the picture, and said to it in a gentle, but manly voice: "I will love and revere you as my mother.And, in thought, my mother too shall be present, and stand like you, beside your child!"
No better answer could have been given to the feeling which induced Mdlle.de Cardoville to place herself, as it were, under the protection of her mother.From that moment, confident in Djalma, confident in herself, the young lady felt more at her ease, and the delicious sense of happiness replaced those exciting emotions, which had at first so violently agitated her.
Then, seating herself once more, she said to Djalma, as she pointed to the opposite chair: "Pray take a seat, my dear cousin; and allow me to call you so, for there is too much ceremony in the word prince; and do you call me cousin also, for I find other names too grave.Having settled this point, we can talk together like old friends."
"Yes cousin," answered Djalma, blushing.
"And, as frankness is proper between friends," resumed Adrienne, "I have first to make you a reproach," she added, with a half-smile.
The prince had remained standing, with his arm resting on the chimney-
piece, in an attitude full of grace and respect.
"Yes, cousin," continued Adrienne, "a reproach, that you will perhaps forgive me for ******.I had expected you a little sooner."
"Perhaps, cousin, you may blame me for having come so soon."
"What do you mean?"
"At the moment when I left home, a man, whom I did not know, approached my carriage, and said to me, with such an air of sincerity that I believed him: `You are able to save the life of a person who has been a second father to you.Marshal Simon is in great danger, and, to rescue him, you must follow me on the instant--'"
"It was a snare," cried Adrienne, hastily."Marshal Simon was here, scarcely an hour ago."
"Indeed!" exclaimed Djalma, joyfully, and as if he had been relieved from a great weight."Then there will be nothing to sadden this happy day!"
"But, cousin," resumed Adrienne, "how came you not to suspect this emissary?"
"Some words, which afterwards escaped from him, inspired me with doubts,"