Hearts Afire by J. D Rawden, Patrick Griffith

effusion in that lady's manner than at her last
interview with Charlotte. She had a little spasm of jealousy; she had some
doubts about Charlotte's deserts; she wondered whether Harleigh really adored the girl with the fervour he affected,
or whether he had determined, at all sacrifices, to prevent her marriage with
Sir Edward Semple . Charlotte had never before seen
her so quiet and so cool; and a feeling of shame sprang up in the girl's heart.
“Perhaps she was going to do something not exactly proper in Mistress Gordon's
eyes, and in advance that lady was making her sensible of her contempt.”
    With this thought, she rose, and with burning cheeks said, “I will go home,
madam. Now I feel that I am doing wrong. To write to Harleigh will be the best way.”
    “Pray don't be foolish, Charlotte. I am of a serious turn this morning, that is all. How pretty you are! And how vastly
becoming your gown! But, indeed, I am going to ask you to change it. Yesterday
at the “King's Arms,” I said my sister would arrive this morning with me; and I
bespoke a little cotillon in Harleigh's rooms. In that dress you will be too familiar, my dear. See here, is not this
the prettiest fashion? It is lately come over. So airy! So French! So all
that!”
    It was a light-blue gown and petticoat of rich satin, sprigged with silver,
and a manteau of dark-blue velvet trimmed with bands
of delicate fur. The bonnet was not one which the present generation would call
“lovely;” but, in its satin depths, Charlotte's fresh, sweet face looked like a
rose. She hardly knew herself when the toilet was completed; and, during its
progress, Mistress Gordon recovered all her animation and interest.
    Before they were ready, a coach was in waiting; and in a few minutes they
stood together at Harleigh's door. There was a sound
of voices within; and, when they entered, Charlotte saw, with a pang of
disappointment, a fine, gallantly looking man by Harleigh's side. But Harleigh appeared to be in no way annoyed
by his company. He was looking much better, and wore a chamber gown of maroon
satin, with deep laces showing at the wrists and bosom. When Charlotte entered,
he was amazed and charmed with her appearance. “Come near to me, my Charlotte,”
he said; and as Mistress Gordon drew from her shoulders the mantle, and from
her head the bonnet, and revealed more perfectly her beautiful person and
dress, his love and admiration were beyond words.
    With an air that plainly said, “This is the maiden
for whom I fought and have suffered: is she not worthy of my devotion?” he
introduced her to his friend, Ewan Rawden . But, even
as they spoke, Ewan joined Mistress Gordon, at a call from her; and Charlotte
noticed that a door near which they stood was open, and that they went into the
room to which it led, and that other voices then blended with theirs. But these
things were as nothing. She was with her lover, alone for a moment with him;
and Harleigh had never before seemed to her half so
dear or half so fascinating.
    “My Charlotte,” he said, “I have one tormenting thought. Night and day it
consumes me like a fever. I hear that Sir Edward Semple is well. Yesterday Ewan saw him; he was walking with your father. He will be
visiting at your house very soon. He will see you; he will speak to you. You
have such obliging manners, he may even clasp this hand, my hand .
Heavens! I am but a man, and I find myself unable to endure the thought.”
    “In my heart, Harleigh , there is only room for you.
Sir Edward I fear and dislike.”
    “They will make you marry him, my darling.”
    “No; that they can never do.”
    “But I suffer in the fear. I suffer a thousand deaths. If you were only my
wife, Charlotte!”
    She blushed divinely. She was kneeling at his side; and she put her arms
around his neck, and laid her face against his. “Only your wife I will be. That
is what I desire also.”
    “ Now , Charlotte? This minute, darling? Make me sure of the felicity
you