Julia_Chapter_14

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"What is there," said Capt Mirvan to himself one evening as he was returning home. "What is there in this Julia Clifton, which thus awes, thus restrains me, at the very moment when her own tenderness has elicited mine? Frank and communicative almost to a fault, gay and volatile almost to levity, there is nevertheless a certain air--a manner which seems to say thus far and no farther-is it dignity? dignity is cold,--but there is no coldness in Julia Clifton's composition." However incomprehensible, Capt Mirvan owned the influence of this invisible { ?} and lost in Mrs Clifton's presence, the boldness and the freedom which characterized his manners in his intercourse with other women. But the passion thus subdued and restrained burnt deeper in his bosom and its violence was increased by its concentration. How frequently has he determined during their long and solitary rides to take advantage of the tenderness she could not disguise, and the confidence with which she trusted herself to him. And yet when arrived at some spot far remote from human habitation and the new constant purpose of his bosom, impressed him to attempt some liberty--that very tenderness, that very confidence which seemed to trust so implicity to his protection, when expressed by Julia's eloquent countenance, appealed not in vain to his heart; a countenance which while it seemed to intreat, betrayed its power to command. It was the bright intelligence, the emanation of mind, which while they heightened the glow, seemed to purify the feelings which burned upon her cheek, or sparkled in her eye. In conversation with Capt Mirvan, she had never displayed the strength or niches of her mind. His aim had been her heart, and he had sought to reach it through her fancy and her feelings, never calculating on a connection that would require more enduring materials. But mind will be felt--mind will command, even without those who do not value, or do not comprehend its powers. A thousand times had Capt Mirvan resolved to shake off the influence of this secret and inexplicable power; his pride and love equally stimulated him to complete his triumph--he felt that he had touched the heart of Julia--the melting tenderness of her voice--her looks--her manners, convinced him

Last edit almost 4 years ago by shashathree
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he was believed. "It is only my own silly timidity and cowardice he would exclaim, that hinder my success, --why, Julia herself will despise me if after such unresisting, confiding tenderness, I do not reap the {refined?} harvest." It was after reflection such as these, and a few extra glasses of wine which he drank off to inspire him with courage as he said, that he went as usual to pass his evening with Mrs Clifton. The day had been oppressively warm, and the little air which had relieved the heat, had died away with the setting sun, and a breathless stillness seemed to pervade all nature. Exhausted and languid, Julia had ordered a settee to be placed under a thick tuft of acacias, on which she lay down and was refreshed by the coolness which exhaled from the moist and shaded ground. The restlessness produced by the heat gave way to a sweet repose and she was soon lost in a shadowy, dreamy sort of existence, more delightful than the fullest vigor and activity of the vital { ?}. Tho' the sun had set, a bright glow diffused through the atmosphere a warm and mellow light and tinged every object with a rich and golden hue. Capt Mirvan stole to the spot, to which he was directed by a servant. Thinking that Julia was asleep, he silently sunk down on the grass beside her--lost in admiration of her loveliness, he scarcely breathed, but on daring to touch with his lips her hand which hung listlessly by her side, she started from her reverie, in an emotion and embarrassment she had never before betrayed in his presence. Her varying colour, her eyes cast down to avoid the ardent gaze of his, the universal agitation of her frame, emboldened him by the conscious weakness it betrayed in her. "Dearest Mrs Clifton," he began while he seized her hand with a transport he had never before dared to show--Julia felt her danger, and attempting to rise, feebly articulated, "Let us return to the house", but he drew her back to her seat and forcibly retained her hand. At that moment Rosa accidentally ran across a path, near where they sat, Julia darted forward and catching the child in her arms, pressed her to her bosom. She was {relieved, calmed} and taking her little girl by the hand walked composedly back to the seat, where Capt Mirvan

Last edit almost 4 years ago by shashathree
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both sat, biting his lips with vexation and looking sullen and disconcerted. Every trace of embarrassment or agitation had left the face and manner of Mrs Clifton--She was free and lively, tho' her veracity was full of tenderness--but it was now the tenderness the pure tenderness of maternal love, that sought not with averted and down cast looks to veil the emotions it excited-her countence was radiant and open as noon day and a dozen times she caught the little Rosa to her bosom and lavished on her the fondest carresses--at that moment she felt for her child, the gratitude felt for one who saves us from danger. The little girl delighted with this unusual kindness, more than, returned her mothers fondness and the poor Captain seemed absolutely forgotten--Julia, looking up and seeing him look vexed and angry, burst out a laughing and exclaimed, "Come Rosa let us run away, for the Captain looks as if he would beat us if he could"-- and away she ran, holding Rosa by her hand, looking round and shaking her finger significantly at him. "Yes", exclaimed Captain Mirvan to himself, as he understood her exalting laugh and triumphant glance--"Yes, but by heaven you shall not always thus escape me"--He then in a sullen mood walked backwards and forwards meditating some future and more efficient attack--he was angry at himself, and angry with Julia, and as much in vengeance as love swore he would not be defeated the next time.--It was nesessary however to conceal such angry feelings--He was aware that with the high-spirited and high minded Mrs Clifton, his only chance of success was by softness and persuasion, and he moulded his counterance and attuned his voice to insinuating tenderness which gained him an access into Julia's bosom. When he entered the drawing room, Rosa was sitting on her mothers lap, who kept her pressed to her bosom as her safest shield. The child was full of play and prattle, and the Captain, altho' he felt more than of inclined to throw her out of the window, made her the object of his fondest attention and would feign have played with and carressed her, had not the child with an instinctive aversion, pushed him away and clung closer to her mother.

Last edit almost 4 years ago by shashathree
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displeased with such a repulse and { ?} with acting so contrary to his feelings, he more than once asked her if she was not sleepy and reminded her that it was her bed time. But Rosa, encouraged by her mother, declared she would not go and as Captain Mirvan seemed equally resolved to stay, after some struggles to keep awake, she at last fell asleep on her mother's bosom. The still imparted or feeling of security to Julia, who now conversed with her usual frankness and ease, and as quickly as even this child could have done, forgetting the danger from which she had escaped, she with equal facility and thoughtlessness promised the Captain to go with him the next day to a place he described to her as equally solitary and beautiful. For some weeks past Julia had been amusing herself with painting a set of views she had sketched in her various excusions. She had complained of their tameness and expressed her wish to do something in a bolder and grander style. "Where shall I find some precipices, rocks, caverns, and cataracts, something in the Salvator style, she enquired. In their next days tour, Captain Mirvan promised to show her all these objects. He had often visited at the house of friend, who lived opposite to the little falls of the Potomack and he described the scene from this dwelling as one of the most grand and picturesque he had ever seen. "There," said he, "'ave solitudes as wild and savage as Pyrenean Bandditti ever haunted; and the daring fisherman who venture among the whirlpools, cataracts and rocks in search of their prey, have the hardihood and boldness of those wild mountaineers and sitting as they often do in some recess of the rocks round a blazing fire, cooking their fish, and drying them and nets, they will afford you as fine groups of savage looking men, as Salvator's Banditti's." This being precisely what Julia wanted, she promised to be in readiness early the next morning. A thunder gust during the night had cooled the air and refreshed the herbage and leaving Rosa sound asleep, the imprudent and romantic Julia set off with Captain Mirvan for an

Last edit almost 4 years ago by shashathree
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this excursion. Exhilerated by the morning breeze, and charmed by the freshened beauties of the varied landscape, she gave free play to her gay spirits and lively fancy and appeared in the eyes of Capt Mirvan more exquistitely lovely than ever. As it would require a considerable time to make the drawings she projected it would be late in the day before they should return she consented to ride with him in his curricle to avoid the heat of noon. "Now," thought Capt Mirvan as they rode along "she is completely in my power, she cannot as she has so often done when riding with one on horse back , choose her own road, or suddenly turn back from the places to which I would have conducted her." Unconscious of design or danger, she interpreted the exultation which shone in his face, into feelings of pleasure and gaiety such as she herself experienced. He took her a mopurusest circuitous route over the hills beyond George Town and instead of the high way , pursued every by- road and shady lane he could discover. It was in vain Julia expressed her fears that the mists and clouds of morning would be dispersed before they reached the river, the picturesque effect of which is so favorable to the painter: "When the day is advanced," said she," there will be no { ?} of light and shade, no veils of vapour to hang their fantastic drappery over the rocks and hills, it will be one glance of sun shine and impossible for me to sketch." Her words were verified, and before they entered on the river-road the sun was high in the heavens; not a cloud threw its shadow on the landscape, or intercepted the scorching rays which became quite oppressive. Her project must be relinquished and while she was regretting her disappointment with the bitterness with which a spoiled child would have done, they came with in sight of the dwelling of his friend. It was most beautifully situated on the high and over hanging banks of the Potomack. "There," said Capt Mirvan is my friend's house--we will stop there and from some of the windows I know you will have even finer

Last edit almost 4 years ago by shashathree
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