Some minutes passed in the pleasing examination of the volume; and
Marian was still turning the leaves with unmixed pleasure--pleasure in
the gift, and pleasure in the giver--when Thurston, even before the
appointed time, suddenly rejoined her.
"So absorbed in Spenser that you did not even hear or see me!" said the
young man, half reproachfully.
"I was indeed far gone in Fairy Land! Oh, I thank you so much for your
beautiful present! It is indeed a treasure. I shall prize it greatly,"
said Marian, in unfeigned delight.
"Do you know that Fairy Land is not obsolete, dearest Marian?" he said,
fixing his eyes upon her charming face with an ardor and earnestness
that caused hers to sink.
"Come," she said, in a low voice, and rising from the rock; "let us
leave this place and go forward."
They walked on, speaking softly of many things--of the vision of
Spenser, of the beautiful autumnal weather, of anything except the one
interest that now occupied both hearts. The fear of startling her
bashful trust, and banishing those bewitching glances that sometimes
lightened on his face, made him cautious, and restrained his eagerness;
while excessive consciousness kept her cheeks dyed with blushes, and her
nerves vibrating sweet, wild music, like the strings of some aeolian
harp when swept by the swift south wind.
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