CHAPTER XXIV 345
" I dangers dared; I hindrance scorned I omens did defy: Whatever menaced, harassed, warned, I passed impetuous by.
" On sped my rainbow, fast as light; I flew as in a dream; For glorious rose upon my sight That child of Shower and Gleam.
" Still bright on clouds of suffering dim Shines that soft, solemn joy; Nor care I now, how dense and grim Disasters gather nigh.
" I care not in this moment sweet, Though all I have rushed o ' er Should come on pinion, strong and fleet, Proclaiming vengeance sore:
" Though haughty Hate should strike me down, Right, bar approach to me, And grinding Might, with furious frown, Swear endless enmity.
" My love has placed her little hand With noble faith in mine, And vowed that wedlock ' s sacred band Our nature shall entwine.
" My love has sworn, with sealing kiss, With me to live-- to die; I have at last my nameless bliss. As I love-- loved am I!"
He rose and came towards me, and I saw his face all kindled, and his full falcon-eye flashing, and tenderness and passion in every lineament. I quailed momentarily-- then I rallied. Soft scene, daring demonstration, I would not have; and I stood in peril of both: a weapon of defence must be prepared-- I whetted my tongue: as he reached me, I asked with asperity, " whom he was going to marry now?"
" That was a strange question to be put by his darling Jane."
" Indeed! I considered it a very natural and necessary one: he had talked of his future wife dying with him. What did he mean by such a pagan idea? I had no intention of dying with him-- he might depend on that."
" Oh, all he longed, all he prayed for, was that I might live with him! Death was not for such as I."