befall the day, she thought, woe, tears, and mourning betide the hour, that

gave Raymond another hope than love, another wish than my devotion; and

thrice joyful the moment when he shall be restored to me! God knows, I put

my trust in his vows, and believe his asserted faith--but for that, I

would not seek what I am now resolved to attain. Shall two years more be

thus passed, each day adding to our alienation, each act being another

stone piled on the barrier which separates us? No, my Raymond, my only

beloved, sole possession of Perdita! This night, this splendid assembly,

these sumptuous apartments, and this adornment of your tearful girl, are

all united to celebrate your abdication. Once for me, you relinquished the

prospect of a crown. That was in days of early love, when I could only hold

out the hope, not the assurance of happiness. Now you have the experience

of all that I can give, the heart's devotion, taintless love, and

unhesitating subjection to you. You must choose between these and your

protectorate. This, proud noble, is your last night! Perdita has bestowed

on it all of magnificent and dazzling that your heart best loves--but,

from these gorgeous rooms, from this princely attendance, from power and

elevation, you must return with to-morrow's sun to our rural abode; for I

would not buy an immortality of joy, by the endurance of one more week

sister to the last.

Brooding over this plan, resolved when the hour should come, to propose,

and insist upon its accomplishment, secure of his consent, the heart of

Perdita was lightened, or rather exalted. Her cheek was flushed by the

expectation of struggle; her eyes sparkled with the hope of triumph. Having

cast her fate upon a die, and feeling secure of winning, she, whom I have

171

The Last Man