Alice, or the Mysteries — Book 02

								

as in his earliest youth, though darkened by the suns of the East, curled
over a forehead of majestic expanse.  The high and proud features, that
well became a stature above the ordinary standard; the pale but bronzed
complexion; the large eyes of deepest blue, shaded by dark brows and
lashes; and more than all, that expression at once of passion and repose
which characterizes the old Italian portraits, and seems to denote the
inscrutable power that experience imparts to intellect, constituted an
ensemble which, if not faultlessly handsome, was eminently striking,
and formed at once to interest and command.  It was a face, once seen,
never to be forgotten; it was a face that had long, half unconsciously,
haunted Evelyn's young dreams; it was a face she had seen before, though,
then younger and milder and fairer, it wore a different aspect.
Evelyn stood rooted to the spot, feeling herself blush to her very
temples,--an enchanting picture of bashful confusion and innocent alarm.
"Do not let me regret my return," said the stranger, approaching after a
short pause, and with much gentleness in his voice and smile; "and think
that the owner is doomed to scare away the fair spirits that haunted the
spot in his absence."
"The owner!" repeated Evelyn, almost inaudibly, and in increased
embarrassment; "are you then the--the--"
"Yes," courteously interrupted the stranger, seeing her confusion, "my
name is Maltravers; and I am to blame for not having informed you of my
sudden return, or for now trespassing on your presence.  But you see my
excuse;" and he pointed to the instrument.  "You have the magic that
draws even the serpent from his hole.  But you are not alone?"
"Oh, no! no, indeed!  Miss Merton is with me.  I know not where she is
gone.  I will seek her."
"Miss Merton!  You are not then one of that family?"
"No, only a guest.  I will find her; she must apologize for us.  We were
not aware that you were here,--indeed we were not."
"That is a cruel excuse," said Maltravers, smiling at her eagerness: and
the smile and the look reminded her yet more forcibly of the time when he
had carried her in his arms and soothed her suffering and praised her
courage and pressed the kiss almost of a lover on her hand.  At that
thought she blushed yet more deeply, and yet more eagerly turned to
escape.
Maltravers did not seek to detain her, but silently followed her steps.
She had scarcely gained the window, before little Cecilia scampered in,
crying,--
"Only think!  Mr. Maltravers has come back, and brought such beautiful
horses!"
Cecilia stopped abruptly, as she caught sight of the stranger; and the
next moment Caroline herself appeared.  Her worldly experience and quick
sense saw immediately what had chanced; and she hastened to apologize to
Maltravers, and congratulate him on his return, with an ease that
astonished poor Evelyn, and by no means seemed appreciated by Maltravers