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the view to the speaker, she saw him standing bare headed, erect, and with his
eyes to heaven; there was no longer the quiet which had seemed their
characteristic, but they were lighted into something like enthusiasm, and a
slight flush passed over his pale features.
There can be no danger apprehended from such, a man, thought Frances--such
feelings belong only to the virtuous.
The musings of the party were now interrupted by the sudden appearance of the
pedlar. He had taken advantage of the first gleam of sunshine to hasten to the
cottage. Heedless of wet or dry as it lay in his path, with arms swinging to
and fro, and with his head bent forward of his body several inches, Harvey
Birch now approached the piazza, with a gait peculiarly his own--the quick,
lengthened pace of a vender of goods.
 Fine evening, said the pedlar, saluting the party without raising his eyes,
 quite warm and agreeable for the season.
Mr. Wharton assented to the remark, and inquired kindly after the health of
his father. Harvey heard him, and continued standing for some time in moody
silence; but the question being repeated, he answered with a slight tremor in
his voice--
 He fails fast; old age and hardships will do their work. The pedlar turned
his body from the view of most of the family; but Frances noticed his
glistening eyes and quivering lips, and, for the second time, Harvey rose in
the estimation of the maid.
The valley in which was the residence of Mr. Wharton ran in a direction from
North-west to South-east, and the house stood on the side of a hill which
terminated its length in the former direction. A small opening, occasioned by
the receding of the opposite hill, and the fall of the land to the level of
the tide water, afforded a view of the Sound over the tops of the distant
woods on its margin. The surface of the water, which had so lately been
lashing the shores with boisterous fury, was already losing its ruffled
darkness in the long and regular undulations that succeed a tempest, while the
light air from the South-west was gently touching their summits, lending its
feeble aid in stilling the waters. Some dark spots were now to be
distinguished, occasionally rising into view, and again sinking behind the
lengthened waves which interposed themselves to the sight. They were unnoticed
by all but the pedlar. He had seated himself on the piazza, at a distance from
Harper, and appeared to have forgotten the object of his visit. His roving
eye, however, soon caught a glimpse of these new objects in the view, and he
sprang up with alacrity, gazing intently towards the water. The juices of the
tobacco soon disfigured the floor of Miss Peyton--he moved his place--glanced
his eye with marked uneasiness on Harper--and then said with great emphasis--
 The rig lars must be out from below.
 Why do you think so? inquired Captain Wharton eagerly;  God send it may be
true; I want their escort in again.
Those ten whale boats would not move so fast, answered Birch drily,  unless
they were better manned than common.
 Perhaps, cried Mr. Wharton in alarm,  they are--they are continentals
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ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
returning from the island.
 They look like rig lars, said the pedlar with great meaning.
 Look! repeated the captain,  there is nothing but spots to be seen.
Harvey disregarded his observation, but seemed to be soliloquizing as he
said, in an under tone--  They came out before the gale--have laid on the
island these two days--horse are on the road-- there will soon be fighting
near us. During this speech Birch several times glanced his eye towards
Harper, with evident uneasiness, but no corresponding emotion betrayed any
interest of that gentleman in the scene.--He stood in silent contemplation of
the view, and seemed enjoying the change in the air. As Birch concluded,
however, Harper turned to his host and mentioned, that his business would not
admit of unnecessary delay; he would, therefore, avail himself of the fine
evening to ride a few miles on his journey. Mr. Wharton made many professions
of regret at losing so agreeable an inmate; but was too mindful of his duty
not to speed the parting guest, and orders were instantly given to that
effect.
The uneasiness of the pedlar increased in a manner for which nothing apparent
could account; his eye was constantly wandering towards the lower end of the
vale, as if in expectation of some interruption from that quarter. At length
Cæsar appeared leading the noble beast which was to bear the weight of the
traveller. The pedlar officiously assisted to tighten the girths, and fasten
the blue cloak and valisse to the mail straps.
Every preparation being completed, Harper proceeded to take his leave. To
Sarah and her aunt he paid his compliments with ease and kindness--but when he
came to Frances, he paused a moment, while his face assumed an expression of
more than ordinary benignity; his eye repeated the blessing which had before
fallen from his lips, and the maid felt her cheeks glow and heart beat with a
quicker pulsation, as he spoke his adieus. There was a mutual exchange of
polite courtesy between the host and his parting guest; but as Harper frankly
offered his hand to Captain Wharton, he remarked, in a manner of great
solemnity-- [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]