and the rain was falling fast, when at eleven o'clock he retired to bed.
Burr slept soundly, however, and when he opened his eyes at a somewhat late hour, he beheld the bright sun shining in at the casement. He now feared that Angelina would not come—that some untoward accident would prevent her from making her appearance.
But he knew not the nature of Miss Dudley. Having once tasted those pleasures which had overwhelmed her soul, and maddened her with the most flaming passion for the beloved author of her joys, nothing but death could have prevented her from repairing to the happy dale, so sacred to the memory of unexpected bliss.
Although Burr went early, he found Angelina waiting for him. She had seen his approach at a distance, and had hidden behind a tree.
Burr reached the spot, burning with impatience. Casting his eyes around him, and not doubting that he was entirely alone, he mused aloud, while Angelina, within five or six feet of the spot where he stood, could distinctly hear every word that he uttered.
"Heaven and hell!" cried he; "she is not here. But it is early; I could not hope that a lady would precede me. But if she does come, won't I give her a specimen of what a man can do! Won't I make her sweet body writhe like a skinned eel! I will again see her beautiful eyes grow soft and fill with transport—with tenderness! They again will roll in her head with delight; her beautiful mouth ajar—her sweet breath—her heaving bosom—and such a bosom! How lovely she is! Oh! what a woman! how well formed for loving! Her limbs too! Those legs, those thighs, that smooth belly, and that heavenly spot, with the glossy threads—I'll devour her alive! But oh, my God! suppose that she will not come—"
"But she will come!" exclaimed a musical voice, and Angelina darted out from behind the tree, where she had been hidden, and flew into the arms of her lover.
"Ten thousand—thousand thanks! sweet man!" exclaimed she, "for the proof of your love. I have now heard you praise me when you thought you were alone, and could have no motive for practicing deception! Oh! my adored Aaron, I am yours, yours for ever, and I will love you—I will adore you, sweet, dear, dear blessed angel that you are, to the latest day of my existence."
Then she fell to kissing him, as if she was determined to devour him alive.
"I have been so impatient for this moment!" said Burr.
"Not more impatient that I have been," said she, throwing her arms around his neck again. "When I woke up yesterday, and saw that it rained, I felt as if my heart would break. All day I was miserable
