Does the baron love Helen ? '' asked Amy , abruptly . `` Desperately , and she ? '' `` I think he will be happy ; she is not one to make confidantes , but I know by her tenderness with me , her sadness lately , and something in her way of brightening when he comes , that she thinks much of him and loves Karl Hoffman . How it will be with the baron I can not say . '' `` No fear of him ; he wins his way everywhere . I wish I were as fortunate ; '' and the gay young gentleman heaved an artful sigh and coughed the cough that always brought such pity to the girl 's soft eyes . She glanced at him as he leaned pensively on the low wall , looking down into the lake , with the level rays of sunshine on his comely face and figure . Something softer than pity stole into her eye , as she said , anxiously , -- `` You are not really ill , Sidney ? '' `` I have been , and still need care , else I may have a relapse , '' was the reply of this treacherous youth , whose constitution was as sound as a bell . Amy clasped her hands , as if in a transport of gratitude , exclaiming , fervently , -- `` What a relief it is to know that you are not doomed to -- '' She paused with a shiver , as if the word were too hard to utter , and Sidney turned to her with a beaming face , which changed to one of mingled pain and anger , as she added , with a wicked glance , -- `` Wear spectacles . '' `` Amy , you 've got no heart ! '' he cried , in a tone that banished her last doubt of his love and made her whisper tenderly , as she clung to his arm , -- `` No , dear ; I 've given it all to you . '' Punctual to the minute , Major Erskine marched into the salon , with Mrs. Cumberland on his arm , exclaiming , as he eyed the four young people together again , -- `` Now , ladies , is it to be ` Paradise Lost ' or ` Regained ' for the prisoners at the bar ? '' At this point the astonished gentleman found himself taken possession of by four excited individuals , for the girls embraced and kissed him , the young men wrung his hand and thanked him , and all seemed bent on assuring him that they were intensely happy , grateful and affectionate . From this assault he emerged flushed and breathless , but beaming with satisfaction , and saying paternally , -- `` Bless you , my children , bless you . I hoped and worked for this , and to prove how well I practise what I preach , let me present to you -- my wife . '' As he drew forward the plump widow with a face full of smiles and tears , a second rush was made , and congratulations , salutes , exclamations and embraces were indulged in to every one 's satisfaction . As the excitement subsided the major said , simply , -- `` We were married yesterday at Montreaux . Let me hope that you will prove as faithful as I have been , as happy as I am , as blest as I shall be .
I loved this lady in my youth , have waited many years , and am rewarded at last , for XXXXX never comes too late . ''
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