The steam began to escape through the hole in the lid of the kettle, and
Elena turned her attention once more to the tea-table. She poured a
little water on the leaves; put two lumps of sugar in one of the cups,
then poured some more water into the tea-pot and extinguished the lamp;
doing it all with a certain fond care, but never once looking in
Andrea's direction. By this time her inward agitation had resolved
itself into such melting tenderness, that there was a lump in her throat
and her eyes filled involuntarily; all her contradictory thoughts, all
her trouble and agitation of heart, concentrated themselves in those
tears.
A movement of her arm knocked the little silver card-case off the table.
Andrea picked it up and examined the device: two true lovers' knots each
bearing an inscription in English--_From Dreamland_, and _A Stranger
here_.
When he raised his head, Elena offered him the fragrant beverage with a
mist of tears before her eyes.
He saw that mist, and, filled with love and gratitude at such an
unlooked-for sign of melting, he put down the cup, sank on his knees
before her, and seizing her hand pressed his lips passionately to it.
'Elena! Elena!' he murmured, his face close to hers as if he would drink
the breath from her lips. His emotion was quite sincere, though some of
the things he said were not.
Pages:
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269