She still felt
vexed at the young soldier's assurance, but yet all unconsciously
found herself endeavoring to invent any number of excuses for the
conduct he had exhibited!
"It is true, as he said," she remarked, half aloud to herself, "that
it was the only way in which he could meet me on terms of sufficient
equality for conversation. Perhaps I should have done the same, if I
were a high-spirited youth, and really loved!"
As for Lorenzo Bezan, he quietly sought his quarters, as happy as a
king. Had he not been successful beyond any reasonable hope? Had he
not told his love? ay, had he not kissed the hand of her he loved,
at last, almost by her own consent? Had not the clouds in the
horizon of his love greatly thinned in numbers? He was no moody
lover. Not one to die for love, but to live for it rather, and to
pursue the object of his affection and regard with such untiring and
devoted service as to deserve, if not to win, success. At least
this was his resolve. Now and then the great difference between
their relative stations would lead him to pause and consider the
subject; but then with some pleasant sally to himself he would walk
on again, firmly resolved in his own mind to overcome all things for
her whom he loved, or at least to strive to do so.
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