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black； with long black curls hanging over her shoulders； entered the room。
Her dark； bright eyes flashed as she caught the first sight of Jerome。 The
gentleman immediately arose on the entrance of the lady； and Mr。
Devenant was in the act of introducing the stranger when he observed that
Jerome had sunk back upon the sofa； in a faint voice exclaiming；
〃It is she！〃
After this； all was dark and dreary。 How long he remained in this
condition； it was for others to tell。 The lady knelt by his side and wept；
and when he came to； he found himself stretched upon the sofa with his
boots off and his head resting upon a pillow。 By his side sat the old man；
with the smelling…bottle in one hand and a glass of water in the other；
while the little boy stood at the foot of the sofa。 As soon as Jerome had so
far recovered as to be able to speak； he said；
〃Where am I； and what does all this mean？〃
〃Wait awhile；〃 replied the old man； 〃and I will tell you all。〃
After the lapse of some ten minutes； Jerome arose from the sofa；
adjusted his apparel； and said；
〃I am now ready to hear anything you have to say。〃
〃You were born in America？〃 said the old man。
〃I was；〃 he replied。
〃And you knew a girl named Clotelle；〃 continued the old man。
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〃Yes； and I loved her as I can love none other。〃
〃The lady whom you met so mysteriously last evening was she；〃 said
Mr。 Devenant。
Jerome was silent； but the fountain of mingled grief and joy stole out
from beneath his eyelashes； and glistened like pearls upon his ebony
cheeks。
At this juncture； the lady again entered the room。 With an enthusiasm
that can be better imagined than described； Jerome sprang from the sofa；
and they rushed into each other's arms； to the great surprise of the old
gentleman and little Antoine； and to the amusement of the servants who
had crept up； one by one and were hid behind the doors or loitering in the
hall。 When they had given vent to their feelings and sufficiently recovered
their presence of mind； they resumed their seats。
〃How did you find out my name and address？〃 inquired Jerome。
〃After you had left the grave…yard；〃 replied Clotelle； 〃our little boy
said； 'Oh； mamma！ if there ain't a book！' I opened the book； and saw your
name written in it； and also found a card of the Hotel de Leon。 Papa
wished to leave the book； and said it was only a fancy of mine that I had
ever seen you before； but I was perfectly convinced that you were my own
dear Jerome。〃
As she uttered the last words； tearsthe sweet bright tears that love
alone can bring forthbedewed her cheeks。
〃Are you married？〃 now inquired Clotelle； with a palpitating heart and
trembling voice。
〃No； I am not； and never have been；〃 was Jerome's reply。
〃Then； thank God！〃 she exclaimed； in broken accents。
It was then that hope gleamed up amid the crushed and broken flowers
of her heart； and a bright flash darted forth like a sunbeam。
〃Are you single now？〃 asked Jerome。
〃Yes； I am；〃 was the answer。
〃Then you will be mine after all？〃 said he with a smile。
Her dark； rich hair had partly come down； and hung still more loosely
over her shoulders than when she first appeared； and her eyes； now full of
animation and vivacity； and her sweet； harmonious； and well…modulated
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voice； together with her modesty； self…possession； and engaging manners；
made Clotelle appear lovely beyond description。 Although past the age
when men ought to think of matrimony； yet the scene before Mr。 Devenant
brought vividly to his mind the time when he was young and had a loving
bosom companion living； and tears were wiped from the old man's eyes。
A new world seemed to unfold itself before the eyes of the happy lovers；
and they were completely absorbed in contemplating the future。 Furnished
by nature with a disposition to study； and a memory so retentive that all
who knew her were surprised at the ease with which she acquired her
education and general information； Clotelle might now be termed a most
accomplished lady。 After her marriage with young Devenant； they
proceeded to India； where the husband's regiment was stationed。 Soomn
after their arrival； however； a battle was fought with the natives； in which
several officers fell； among whom was Captain Devenant。 The father of
the young captain being there at the time； took his daughter…in…law and
brought her back to France； where they took up their abode at the old
homestead。 Old Mr。 Devenant was possessed of a large fortune； all of
which he intended for his daughter…in…law and her only child。
Although Clotelle had married young Devenant； she had not forgotten
her first love； and her father…in…law now willingly gave his consent to her
marriage with Jerome。 Jerome felt that to possess the woman of his love；
even at that late hour； was compensation enough for the years that he had
been separated from her； and Clotelle wanted no better evidence of his
love for her than the fact of his having remained so long unmarried。 It was
indeed a rare instance of devotion and constancy in a man； and the young
widow gratefully appreciated it。
It was late in the evening when Jerome led his intended bride to the
window； and the magnificent moonlight illuminated the countenance of
the lovely Clotelle； while inward sunshine； emanating from a mind at ease；
and her own virtuous thoughts； gave brightness to her eyes and made her
appear a very angel。 This was the first evening that Jerome had been in her
company since the night when； to effect his escape from prison； she
disguised herself in male attire。 How different the scene now。 Free
instead of slaves； wealthy instead of poor； and on the eve of an event that
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seemed likely to result in a life of happiness to both。
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CHAPTER XXXII