Matilda’s bright anticipations were realized. We pass over many weary
weeks and months, for Leila’s recovery was tedious, and there were many
fluctuations, but she did recover; and towards the end of April she
returned to Woodlands in all the joy of restored sight, and once more
did she lift her eyes to the rising sun stealing over the glad earth
with steps of light, awakening all nature with the spirit of gladness
and of life! How more than ever beautiful was the soft fresh green of
spring to her delighted eyes! One universal garden seemed to bloom
beneath her feet; one universal hymn of praise was in the song of the
bird, in the murmur of the stream, and, above all, in her own grateful,
devoted heart. And what was Matilda’s joy, what was the joy of Charles
and Mina, and of all those many friends of high and low degree who loved
her dearly? for all were there to welcome her return. Peggy Dobie
pressing forward amongst the first to bless her dear, dear bairn, with
a glow upon her cheeks which made her look young again.
Matilda, capering around her at one moment, in the next holding her in
her arms, looking into her eyes with tearful joy, and exclaiming,--“Your
dear one, you more than darling! and with your eyes so bright, so
open--only at times the slightest little beautiful droop, just to remind
us of what has been. Did I not tell you how it would be? did I not say
you would again see better than any of us?”
And Charles, what did he say? _Nothing._ He stood gazing into Leila’s
eyes as if he could have looked into them for ever, then raising her
hand, he pressed it to his lips.
“Charles,” she said, “how strange you are. Amy does that sometimes to
me; she says it is from love and respect; it is from love and respect,
eh, Charles?”
The happiness of this happy day seemed every hour to increase. In the
evening they all walked to the village, and what did Leila see just
before entering it? A pretty cottage in a lovely little garden, blooming
with flowers, roses and honeysuckles trained on its white walls, a green
turf seat by the side of its little porch, and a bee-hive in a sheltered
corner. And this was Mr. Howard’s glad surprise for Leila; this was a
cottage he had directed should be built during their absence for
Susan’s mother, and in two days, on the first of May, she was to take
possession of it.
There were others who looked forward to May-day with eager expectation;
for an old custom was to be revived, a youthful queen was to be chosen.
Leila herself, though at a distance, had for some time been all anxiety
on this subject, revolving in her mind the different merits of her
little scholars, and scarcely knowing which most to wish should obtain
the promised honour. And she had returned to witness this; returned able
to _see_ and to enjoy it all. What happiness, what deep gratitude was
hers!
Next day all was joyful bustle and activity. The village children were
up with the sun, and while the dew still lay upon the grass, the crystal
drops sparkled on every tree and shrub, their merry voices mingled with
the song of the skylark, and, like the bee, they were darting from
flower to flower, wandering far and wide amidst banks of primroses,
lilies of the valley, and dark blue harebells. Long did they pursue
their pleasant toil, and in the evening they returned to it again, and
not till twilight shades had fallen on the lovely valley, and the silver
moon had risen to guide them on their way, were they to be seen trooping
homewards, laden with green boughs and heaps of blooming flowers. It
was but a short repose that lulled any of them to forgetfulness that
night; they were up by the first streak of day to weave the garlands for
their youthful queen, and the morning rose fair and bright upon their
pleasant labours. Matilda for some time past had been giving them
instructions in the art of weaving garlands, and many of them did great
credit to their little mistress. She had a few days before constructed
for them a crown which they were to imitate, and so well did they now
succeed, that it seemed an equal grief to old and young that any thing
so beautiful should ever fade.
Selina had returned to her own home; but it had been arranged that
Matilda and she were to be early at Woodlands on May morning, to
accompany Leila to the village, that they might all be there when the
queen was chosen. Leila’s own repose was also somewhat broken on the eve
of this eventful day, and having risen early, dressed herself and
offered up her prayer and grateful praise, she seated herself at the
open window to watch for the expected summons. The morning breeze blew
softly on her blooming cheek, her whole heart was full of sweet
emotions; again there was joy to her in every rural sight and sound.
Often she listened eagerly, and fancied she could hear the joyful hum
of many voices from the distant village. Again she listened; was it the
sound of distant music she heard? It went, and came again, and she could
now hear distinctly a chorus of youthful voices rising on the passing
breeze, and could distinguish at intervals, wending their way through
the wood, a group of the village children, dressed in white, carrying
garlands and green boughs. As they emerged into the open lawn, the group
divided, and she saw, surrounded by this youthful band, her beautiful
Selim, led by Charles, and followed by Mina, Selina, and Matilda. Selim
was decked with flowers, and on the pretty saddle-cloth was placed the
crown. They all advanced, still singing; and, in breathless surprise,
Leila listened to the following words:--
“The sun has risen on high
With bright and cheerful ray,
To greet with loving eye
Our Leila, queen of May!
“The little birds of air
Join in our simple lay,
To greet thee, lady fair,
Our gentle queen of May!
“The sweetest flowers of spring
Bloom round thy path to-day,
A woodland wreath we bring,
To crown thee queen of May!
“Bright sun, gay birds, fair flowers,
Speak not alone to-day,
From these full hearts of ours,
We hail thee, queen of May!”
Yes, with the universal assent of all their loving hearts, Leila was
chosen queen of the May! Wreathed with garlands, she was soon seated on
her beautiful favourite, and the procession wound its way, the children
singing and scattering flowers, to the village green; there, all unknown
to her, her papa, and all the elders of the party were assembled, and
under the Maypole was placed the throne, where, amidst all she loved,
and cheers from old and young, was Leila crowned and proclaimed Queen of
the May!
“Did I no’ aye tell ye that peerless jewel o’ a bairn was fit to grace a
crown?” was Peggy Dobie’s observation.
THE END.
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Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:
place had throw a heavy gloom=> place had thrown a heavy gloom {pg 66}
you need not shake you head=> you need not shake your head {pg 70}
the sudden impulses by which your are governed=> the sudden impulses by
which you are governed {pg 77}
his beaming couutenance=> his beaming countenance {pg 97}
it will be my first lesson in the Scotch languabe=> it will be my first
lesson in the Scotch language {pg 147}
you know I have already told you=> You know I have already told you {pg
164}
be said, “but in this case it is impossible=> he said, “but in this case
it is impossible {pg 216}