The great, rude, shaggy, swarthy man! And Zenobia loved
him!
"Did you bring Priscilla with you?" I resumed. "Do you know I have
sometimes fancied it not quite safe, considering the susceptibility
of her temperament, that she should be so constantly within the
sphere of a man like Hollingsworth. Such tender and delicate natures,
among your sex, have often, I believe, a very adequate appreciation
of the heroic element in men. But then, again, I should suppose them
as likely as any other women to make a reciprocal impression.
Hollingsworth could hardly give his affections to a person capable of
taking an independent stand, but only to one whom he might absorb
into himself. He has certainly shown great tenderness for Priscilla."
Zenobia had turned aside. But I caught the reflection of her face in
the mirror, and saw that it was very pale,--as pale, in her rich
attire, as if a shroud were round her.
"Priscilla is here," said she, her voice a little lower than usual.
"Have not you learnt as much from your chamber window? Would you
like to see her?"
She made a step or two into the back drawing-room, and called,--
"Priscilla! Dear Priscilla!"
XX. THEY VANISH
Priscilla immediately answered the summons, and made her appearance
through the door of the boudoir. I had conceived the idea, which I
now recognized as a very foolish one, that Zenobia would have taken
measures to debar me from an interview with this girl, between whom
and herself there was so utter an opposition of their dearest
interests, that, on one part or the other, a great grief, if not
likewise a great wrong, seemed a matter of necessity.
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