It is not
for me to say that the calumnies circulated concerning me are
untrue,--it is for my life to show and PROVE they are not! But I
must be trusted--not suspected; and if you give me your life as you
say, I will give mine to help make yours happier, asking from you in
return just your faith--your FAITH as well as your love!"
Like a fair queen she stood, royal in her look, bearing and
attitude, and Aubrey bent his head low in reverence before her as he
once more kissed her hand.
"My wife!" he said simply.
And the silence that followed was as that of God's benediction on
that perfect marriage which is scarcely ever consummated in all the
world,--the marriage of two souls, which like twin flames, unite and
burn upward clear to Heaven, as One.
XXVII.
Society soon learned the news of the Countess Hermenstein's
betrothal to the "eccentric Englishman," Aubrey Leigh,--and with its
million tongues discussed the affair in all tones,--most people
preferring to say, with the usual "society" kindness, that--"Leigh
was not quite such a self-sacrificing idealist as he seemed to be,--
he was going to marry for money." Some few ventured to remark that
Sylvie Hermenstein was charming in herself and well worth winning,--
but the more practical pooh-poohed this view of the case at once.
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