When now the oak had split in countless streams
The mid-day monarch’s bright propitious beams,—
A branch of which reflected through the door[183]
Spread, transiently, a carpet o’er the floor,—
Jane sat expectant, watch’d with anxious care
The mutual movements of th’ approaching pair:
At length their voices fell upon her ear,
And she retards a half-unconscious tear,
Withdraws in haste into the inner room;
There speculates upon her likely doom—
Until she hears the gate’s familiar sound,—
And hence their footsteps on the pebbled ground.
They enter. Now, her father bids her come
And welcome Arnold to their hallow’d home:
His kindly voice she instantly obeys,
Thus sheds the lustre of her beaming eyes.
Renewing his embraces, Arnold strove
To comfort and console her with his love;
And re-assured her, with a winning smile,
That in his breast there lurk’d no inward guile:
The tone and accent of his gentle voice
Made honest Hollybrand, for once, rejoice;
Who, long inured to oft-recurring grief—
As oft to Heaven consign’d his pray’rful brief—
Now, as his wont, he trusted, found relief.
[183] The doorway.