Pastorals of France (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1877 edition. Excerpt: ...So this night's meeting was after all only a short reprieve. How intensely conscious was Yvonne, then, of every step of the way The turn in the road; the second field gate; the square salt-marsh gleaming in the night; their own low boundary-wall of loose stones from the coast; the cattle-shed, the hay-stack, the rounded tower-like corner of the farmhouse, heavy, solid, grey-black in the night. And with the freshness of autumn, rising wind full in her face, borne over the flat land from the furthest sea. Here was the gate. Strange lovemaking Hardly a word had been said. But she had not put him away. She passed inside the short wooden gate. He held her hand still, and kissed her, once, quietly. She burst out suddenly with many tears and thick, deep sobs: "Oh Rohan, Rohan Tell me what am I to do? God what am I to do?" He could say nothing at the moment, but he stood, trying to comfort, and the tears passed. That weakness had been so unlike her. Now she was herself again, save that a storm had gone over her. "You had better come to-morrow. At mid-day. I will speak to father and mother before that, and will ask them what we shall do. They will think me very unnatural, at first--wishing to leave them, and the place, and the people--all our friends. I know there are fine ladies going into convents, but that is for the good God, or to leave more to their brothers. But I am an only child, here at the farm. What would they do, the two together--father and mother--if I were gone?.... Just for myself, perhaps, after all, I could go away, you know. Because I love you, --yes, Rohan, I must love you " He caught with a new hope, and a rushing thoughtless happiness, all the look of yearning-yielding, in the sweet grave face--then bent...