Verezzi, at her return, expressed a tender apprehension, lest, thus wounded, she should have hurt herself by walking; but Matilda quieted his fears, and engaged him in interesting conversation, which seemed not to have for its object the seduction of his affection; though the ideas conveyed by her expressions were so artfully connected with it, and addressed themselves so forcibly to Verezzi's feelings, that he was convinced he ought to love Matilda, though he felt that within himself which, in spite of reason—in spite of reflection—told him that it was impossible.
CHAPTER XIII.
The enticing smile, the modest-seeming eye,
Beneath whose beauteous beams, belying heaven,
Lurk searchless cunning, cruelty, and death.
Thomson.
Still did Matilda's blandishments—her unremitting
attention—inspire Verezzi with a softened
tenderness towards her. He regarded her as
one who, at the risk of her own life, had saved his;
who loved him with an ardent affection, and whose
affection was likely to be lasting: and though he could
not regard her with that enthusiastic tenderness with
which he even yet adored the memory of his Julia, yet
he might esteem her—faithfully esteem her—and felt
not that horror at uniting himself with her as formerly.
But a conversation which he had with Julia recurred
to his mind: he remembered well, that when they had
talked of their speedy marriage, she had expressed an
idea, that a union in this life might endure to all
eternity; and that the chosen of his heart on earth,
might, by congenialty of sentiment, be united in
heaven.
