CAPÍTULO 4.
A
TEDIOUS ride
approached its close. The track was that which led from the mountain town of
(p. 222)
cedars and
oaks, to forests thick with pines. The day was very bright and very hot. The
greater part of his road recently had lain over a barren treeless plateau; and
unaccustomed as he was to the latitude, the shade and coolness of the forest
that was now thickening around him were intensely grateful to him.
Mounting the ascent at a foot’s pace, Noel left the care of selecting the way to
his steed, and occupied himself in thinking of his journey’s end and its
probable proximity. Presently, in the densest part of the forest, the path
divided into two, and the animal paused for an indication from his rider as to
which he should take. Suddenly there was a tinkling of bells,
and a sound of footsteps before him; and, looking forwards, Noel beheld a
magnificent mule, adorned with the fantastic trappings of the country, picking
its way daintily down the stony track. A veiled figure was upon its back; seeing
which he removed his sombrero, – (he had adopted
the prevalent picturesque jaunty riding dress,) – and, throwing back his
clustering brown curls from his brow, he waited, hat in hand, for an answer to
his question as to which path led to the Dolóres mine.
He spoke in Spanish, to the best of his ability. The lady stopped directly in
front of him, and replied in English. In so doing she lifted her veil, and
revealed her face; when straightway the dim depths of the dark forest were, for
him at least, illumined as by a sudden ray of sunshine, so wondrously fair was
the vision that broke upon him. He felt that only at that moment he learnt what
beauty meant, and why he lived.
She spoke, and the voice corresponded with the face. In neither was there the radiancy of buoyant careless happiness, but the tones were
tones of thoughtfulness, and the expression that of habitual sadness.
‘Your left, Señor, leads to
the dwelling of the Directór: your
right, to the Hacienda de beneficios. I am
going thither.’
‘Mrs. Maynard, if I am not mistaken?’ said Noel, in an inquiring tone; to which
she somewhat timidly replied –
‘Mr Noel, I presume. This letter has just come from you, probably to announce
your arrival. I am taking it to my husband.’
‘It ought to have been here some days ago,’ said Noel; ‘I fear I shall take you
by surprise.’
‘Oh no,’ she answered, in an absent tone. ‘I – we – have long expected you.’
Then, as if recollecting herself, she added aloud, for the escort had now come
up, and were gathered behind him gazing at her, –
(p. 223)
‘Pray ride on to the house. Mr. Maynard and myself will
be there as soon as you can, by another road.’
So saying, she veiled the glory of her face, and with a gentle obeisance passed
to go her way.
‘Santa Madre de
Dios’ exclaimed the
foremost of the band, crossing themselves devoutly; while Noel remained
immovable, as if unable to see his way in the sudden night that had fallen upon
him with the withdrawal of her countenance.
His horse, however, stimulated by the others pressing on its rear, continued its
way: but Noel remained sunk in a deeper reverie than he had ever known. Then
came into his mind these lines of Browning’s, –
He looked at her as a lover can;
She looked at him as one who awakes, –
The past was a sleep, and her life began.
Presently he murmured, –
‘A Psyche, a Psyche; with James Maynard for Eros! Has the
soul come yet? or does it still linger, waiting to be
awakened?’
He dared not follow the train of thought; and not long afterwards an exclamation
from his men called his attention to a house standing a little in advance of the
party, and two mules advancing with rapid strides up a steep acclivity towards
it from the opposite direction. On them were Maynard and Margaret, hastening to
reach the house first by a short cut from the hacienda.
Índice Geral das Seções Índice da Seção Atual Índice da Obra Atual Anterior: Capítulo 3 Seguinte: Capítulo 5
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