This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
72
VIVIAN GREY.

the lady's tone became more terrestrial,—"and truly when I do look upon thy luxuriant curls," and here the lady's small white hand played like lightning through Vivian's dark hair,—"and truly when I do remember the beauty of thy all-perfect form, I cannot deem thy self-worship—a false idolatry;" and here the lady's arms were locked round Vivian's neck, and her head rested on his bosom.

"Oh! Amalia! it would be far better for you to rest here, than to think of that, of which the knowledge is vanity."

"Vanity!' shrieked Mrs. Lorraine, and she violently loosed her embrace, and extricated herself from the arm, which, rather in courtesy, than in kindness, had been wound round her delicate waist—"Vanity! Oh! if you knew but what I know—Oh! if you had but seen what I have seen"'—and here her voice failed her, and she stood motionless in the moonshine, with averted head and outstretched arms.