clotelle(有色女英雄)-第30节
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that can be better imagined than described； Jerome sprang from the sofa；
and they rushed into each other's arms； to the great surprise of the old
gentleman and little Antoine； and to the amusement of the servants who
had crept up； one by one and were hid behind the doors or loitering in the
hall。 When they had given vent to their feelings and sufficiently recovered
their presence of mind； they resumed their seats。
〃How did you find out my name and address？〃 inquired Jerome。
〃After you had left the grave…yard；〃 replied Clotelle； 〃our little boy
said； 'Oh； mamma！ if there ain't a book！' I opened the book； and saw your
name written in it； and also found a card of the Hotel de Leon。 Papa
wished to leave the book； and said it was only a fancy of mine that I had
ever seen you before； but I was perfectly convinced that you were my own
dear Jerome。〃
As she uttered the last words； tearsthe sweet bright tears that love
alone can bring forthbedewed her cheeks。
〃Are you married？〃 now inquired Clotelle； with a palpitating heart and
trembling voice。
〃No； I am not； and never have been；〃 was Jerome's reply。
〃Then； thank God！〃 she exclaimed； in broken accents。
It was then that hope gleamed up amid the crushed and broken flowers
of her heart； and a bright flash darted forth like a sunbeam。
〃Are you single now？〃 asked Jerome。
〃Yes； I am；〃 was the answer。
〃Then you will be mine after all？〃 said he with a smile。
Her dark； rich hair had partly come down； and hung still more loosely
over her shoulders than when she first appeared； and her eyes； now full of
animation and vivacity； and her sweet； harmonious； and well…modulated
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voice； together with her modesty； self…possession； and engaging manners；
made Clotelle appear lovely beyond description。 Although past the age
when men ought to think of matrimony； yet the scene before Mr。 Devenant
brought vividly to his mind the time when he was young and had a loving
bosom companion living； and tears were wiped from the old man's eyes。
A new world seemed to unfold itself before the eyes of the happy lovers；
and they were completely absorbed in contemplating the future。 Furnished
by nature with a disposition to study； and a memory so retentive that all
who knew her were surprised at the ease with which she acquired her
education and general information； Clotelle might now be termed a most
accomplished lady。 After her marriage with young Devenant； they
proceeded to India； where the husband's regiment was stationed。 Soomn
after their arrival； however； a battle was fought with the natives； in which
several officers fell； among whom was Captain Devenant。 The father of
the young captain being there at the time； took his daughter…in…law and
brought her back to France； where they took up their abode at the old
homestead。 Old Mr。 Devenant was possessed of a large fortune； all of
which he intended for his daughter…in…law and her only child。
Although Clotelle had married young Devenant； she had not forgotten
her first love； and her father…in…law now willingly gave his consent to her
marriage with Jerome。 Jerome felt that to possess the woman of his love；
even at that late hour； was compensation enough for the years that he had
been separated from her； and Clotelle wanted no better evidence of his
love for her than the fact of his having remained so long unmarried。 It was
indeed a rare instance of devotion and constancy in a man； and the young
widow gratefully appreciated it。
It was late in the evening when Jerome led his intended bride to the
window； and the magnificent moonlight illuminated the countenance of
the lovely Clotelle； while inward sunshine； emanating from a mind at ease；
and her own virtuous thoughts； gave brightness to her eyes and made her
appear a very angel。 This was the first evening that Jerome had been in her
company since the night when； to effect his escape from prison； she
disguised herself in male attire。 How different the scene now。 Free
instead of slaves； wealthy instead of poor； and on the eve of an event that
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seemed likely to result in a life of happiness to both。
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CHAPTER XXXIII
THE HAPPY DAY
IT was a bright day in the latter part of October that Jerome and
Clotelle set out for the church； where the marriage ceremony was to be
performed。 The clear； bracing air added buoyancy to every movement； and
the sun poured its brilliant rays through the deeply…stained windows； as the
happy couple entered the sanctuary； followed by old Mr。 Devenant； whose
form； bowed down with age； attracted almost as much attention from the
assembly as did the couple more particularly interested。
As the ceremonies were finished and the priest pronounced the
benediction on the newly…married pair； Clotelle whispered in the ear of
Jerome；
〃'No power in death shall tear our names apart； As
none in life could rend thee from my heart。'〃
A smile beamed on every face as the wedding…party left the church and
entered their carriage。 What a happy day； after ten years' separation；
when； both hearts having been blighted for a time； they are brought
together by the hand of a beneficent and kind Providence； and united in
holy wedlock。
Everything being arranged for a wedding tour extending up the Rhine；
the party set out the same day for Antwerp。 There are many rivers of
greater length and width than the Rhine。 Our Mississippi would swallow
up half a dozen Rhines。 The Hudson is grander； the Tiber； the Po； and the
Mincio more classic； the Thames and Seine bear upon their waters greater
amounts of wealth and commerce； the Nile and the Euphrates have a
greater antiquity； but for a combination of interesting historical incidents
and natural scenery； the Rhine surpasses them all。 Nature has so
ordained it that those who travel in the valley of the Rhine shall see the
river； for there never will be a railroad upon its banks。 So mountainous is
the land that it would have to be one series of tunnels。 Every three or
four miles from the time you enter this glorious river； hills； dales； castles；
and crags present themselves as the steamer glides onward。
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Their first resting…place for any length of time was at Coblentz； at the
mouth of the 〃Blue Moselle；〃 the most interesting place on the river。
From Coblentz they went to Brussels； where they had the greatest
attention paid them。 Besides being provided with letters of introduction；
Jerome's complexion secured for him more deference than is usually
awarded to travellers。
Having letters of introduction to M。 Deceptiax； the great lace
manufacturer； that gentleman received them with distinguished honors；
and gave them a splendid at which the of the city were
assembled。 The sumptuously…furnished mansion was lavishly decorated
for the occasion； and every preparation made that could add to the novelty
or interest of the event。
Jerome； with his beautiful bride； next visited Cologne； the largest and
wealthiest city on the banks of the Rhine。 The Cathedral of Cologne is the
most splendid structure of the kind in Europe； and Jerome and Clotelle
viewed with interest the beautiful arches and columns of this stupendous
building； which strikes with awe the beholder； as he gazes at its
unequalled splendor； surrounded； as it is； by villas； cottages； and palace…
like mansions； with the enchanting Rhine w
