Accordingly, early the following morning she arose, and wandered around the house, in hopes that chance would throw her lover in her way, and give her an opportunity of relieving his mind from the load of mortification under which she knew he must be labouring. It was seldom that our heroine had been in the public bar-room of a tavern--but, in gliding by the door, she caught a glimpse of Antonio in the bar; and, impelled by her feelings, she was near him before she had time to collect her scattered senses. To be with Antonio, and alone, Julia felt was dangerous; for his passion might bring on a declaration, and betray them both to the public and vulgar notice.--Anxious, therefore, to effect her object at once, she gently laid her hand on his arm--Antonio started and turned, while the glass in his hands fell, with its contents, untasted, on the floor.
"Rest easy, Antonio," said Julia, in the gentlest possible tones; "to me your conduct is satisfactory, and your secret will never be exposed." So saying, she turned quickly, and glided from the room.
"As I hope to be saved," said Antonio, "I meant nothing wrong--but should have paid the landlord the moment he came in"--but Julia heard him not.
Her errand was happily executed, and she was already by the side of her aunt. On entering the carriage, Julia noticed the eye of Antonio fixed on her with peculiar meaning, and she felt that her conduct had been appreciated.--From this time until the day of their arrival at the house of Mr. Miller, nothing material occurred. Antonio rose every hour in the estimation of Julia, and the young lady noticed a marked difference in her lover's conduct towards her. A few miles before they reached the dwelling, Miss Emmerson observed "To-morrow will be the twentieth of September;when I am to know who will be my companion for the winter, Miss Miller or Katherine.""Ah! aunt, you may know that now, if I am to decide," said Julia, "it will be Anna, my Anna, surely."Her manner was enthusiastic, and her voice a little louder than usual. Antonio turned his head, and their eyes met. Julia read in that glance the approbation of her generous friendship. Miss Emmerson was a good deal hurt at this decision of her niece, who, she thought, knowing her sentiments, would be induced to have been satisfied with the visit to Anna, and taken Katherine for the winter. It was with reluctance that the aunt abandoned this wish, and, after a pause, she continued--"Remember, Julia, that you have not my permission to ask your friend until the twentieth--we can stay but one night at Mr. Miller's, but if Anna is to spend the winter in Park Place, we will return this way from the Falls, and take her with us to the city.""Thank you, dear aunt," cried Julia, kissing her with an affection that almost reconciled Miss Emmerson to the choice--while Charles Weston whistled "Hail, Columbia! happy land!"Julia saw that Antonio pitied her impatience--for the moment he arrived in sight of Mr. Miller's house, he put his horses to their speed, and dashed into the court-yard in the space of a few minutes. For a little while all was confusion and joy. Anna seemed delighted to see her friend, and Julia was in raptures--they flew into each other's arms--and if their parting embrace was embalmed in tears, their meeting was enlivened with smiles.
With arms interlocked, they went about the house, the very pictures of joy.--Even Antonio, at the moment, was forgotten, and all devoted to friendship. Nay, as if sensible of the impropriety of his appearance at that critical instant, he withdrew himself from observation--and his delicacy was not lost on Julia. Happy are they who can act in consonance with their own delicate sentiments, and rest satisfied with the knowledge that their motives are understood by those whom it is their greatest desire to please!---Such, too fortunate Antonio, was thy lot--for no emotion of thy sensitive mind, no act of thy scrupulously honourable life, passed unheeded by thy Julia!--so thought the maiden.
