"
"Ah! but too well," Leander replied, in thrilling tones. "Your adored
image is cherished there, traced in living lines of light; I have only
to look into that devoted, faithful heart, to see and worship your
beauteous form, endowed with every earthly grace, and radiant with every
heavenly perfection."
"I thank you," said the marquise, "for having retained such a kind and
tender remembrance of me; it proves that yours is a noble, magnanimous
soul. You had every reason to think me cruel, ungrateful, false--when,
alas! my poor heart in reality is but too susceptible, and I was far
from being insensible to the passionate admiration you so gracefully
testified for me. Your letter addressed to me did not reach my hands,
but unfortunately fell into those of the marquis--through the heartless
treachery of the faithless maid to whom it was intrusted--and he sent
you the answer which so cruelly deceived you, my poor Leander! Some
time after he showed me that letter, laughing heartily over what he
was wicked enough to call a capital joke; that letter, in every line of
which the purest, most impassioned love shone so brightly, and filled
my heart with joy, despite his ridicule and coarse abuse. It did not
produce the effect upon me that he expected and intended; the sentiment
I cherished secretly for you was only increased and strengthened by its
persuasive eloquence, and I resolved to reward you for all that you had
suffered for my sake.
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