He must bid the idol of his soul adieu, for a period which, to the
imagination of a lover, almost involved eternity. Alas for the fond
hearts and the warm hopes of youth! How could they bear the annihilation
of all the delightful anticipations which they had formed of future
enjoyment?
Elinor had not seen Algernon since his return to the Hall. She ran down
the little path which led to the road to meet him, and the next moment
was in his arms. Algernon could not restrain his feelings as he clasped
her to his heart; he burst into tears.
"You have had a great loss, my Algernon; I will not chide these tears.
The death of a kind parent leaves an awful blank in our existence, a
wound which time alone can heal."
"His death, Elinor, has not cost me a single tear."
"Then why this grief?"
"We must part."
"Algernon!" Elinor stepped back, and looked at her lover with death-pale
cheeks and expanded eyes. "Part!"
"Yes, but not for ever, I hope. But for a long, long period of time; so
long, that hope dies in my heart while naming it."
"But why is this, Algernon? Your father's death, you always told me,
would remove the only obstacle to--to--" Her voice failed her. She
buried her face in her apron, and wept.
"Yes, dearest; that was, provided he left me the means to support a
wife. He has not done so. He has left all to my brother--and I am
destitute.
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