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was attempting to give him some idea of the appearance of the sky, fields, rivers and mountains. Suddenly seizing her hand, he exclaimed, "Oh, dear Eliza, what is all that to me? your sweet face is the only thing I long to see." Startled by his fervent manner, Eliza attempted to withdraw her hand, but George's heart was full, and his impetuous feelings overcame his prudence. More firmly he grasped the struggling hand, and fixing his clear mournful eyes on Eliza's face, told her of his artless love and his utter hopelessness of any return from her. Eliza's heart beat high with innocent joy, and her hand now lay passive in his. An explanation soon took place, and with inexpressible delight the blind youth found that he was most dear to his beloved Eliza. As they walked home they were both silent, for both felt the conviction that Mr. Norris would never give his consent to their marriage. George reproached himself bitterly in his heart for having been led to betray the state of his feelings, thus entailing sorrow on her he loved; and Eliza

was silently praying that, whatever might be her fate, peace and happiness should alone be in store for the poor blind youth beside her.

George was one of those ardent characters who look upon suspense as the most intolerable of all tortures. Accordingly he opened his heart to Mr. Norris in a state of desperation, and was at once rejected, though without the scorn he had expected. Mr. Norris was a kind, good man, and although he could not consent to bestow his daughter on a person totally unable to support her, still his heart bled for poor George; and taking his hand kindly, he said to him, "George Bartlett, you are an excellent young man, and I pity you from my soul; but can you blame me, my dear fellow? I don't want my daughter to marry a rich man, but an honest one, and if you had been blessed with sight, and could work to keep her, I should prefer you to any one I know as a son-in-law." George pressed his hand and departed in silence, and from that moment a deep gloom fell upon his spirits, and gave

rise to the kind inquiries of Geraldine. This tender-hearted being felt sincere compassion for the young lovers, and at length it occurred to her mind that many blind people had been restored to sight by skilful operations.

Rejoiced at this idea she imparted it to Antonio, and they agreed to furnish George with money sufficient for the journey to London, and the operation.

furnished the

The excellent curate of blind man with the necessary instructions, and a letter to the celebrated oculist who happened to be a relative of his, and George and his mother departed full of gratitude and hope.

A fortnight elapsed, and Eliza Norris grew sick with expectation, when a letter arrived from George's mother, containing the joyful news that the operation had been most successful-that her darling boy was restored to sight, and that on a certain day, which she named, they proposed leaving London for their home. All was delight and rejoicing in the village, for every one loved young Bartlett and respected his mother.

At length the blissful day arrived, and George clasped his future bride in his arms, and gazed on her in silent rapture. All the beautiful features of nature were disregarded by him, and Eliza was his world! In a few days, however, he began to take note of all the wonders which surrounded him, and the bewilderment of his mind, the excess of his admiration, and the eagerness of his delight, were almost too much for his strength.

It was to witness the happiness they had bestowed, that Geraldine and her husband now sought the cottage of Dame Bartlett; and when they entered it, Geraldine leaning for support on Antonio, they were received with tears of gratitude and blessings, such as heaven loves to register.

There was the joyful mother ready to exclaim, "Now can I die in peace, since I have seen this blissful day;" there was the happy George restored to light and love and a new worldthere was the gentle Eliza seated between them, and glowing with renewed beauty. All this was

the work of the Cellinis, and an emotion inexpressibly delicious agitated their hearts.

Oh! what frivolous, feverish delight, what triumph of genius, what gratification of ambition, can bear a comparison with such godlike feelings as swelled in the bosoms of Antonio and his Geraldine? But Geraldine's delicate frame, hovering on the very brink of the grave, was unable to support even this pleasurable excitement, and she sank fainting in her chair. The alarmed family lavished every attention upon her and soon restored her, but she immediately urged a speedy return home.

She parted in a sweet but solemn manner with the happy family, and felt, as she crossed the threshold, that their next meeting would be beyond the tomb.

Supported by her husband she reached the water's edge, and was placed in the boat; she was convinced that her last hour was near at hand, and yet Antonio was unprepared for it! Vainly she essayed to commence the subject, but a glance at his dejected and mournful coun

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