How much Egremont would have liked to have offered or invited
correspondence; to have proffered his services when the
occasion permitted; to have said or proposed many things that
might have cherished their acquaintance or friendship; but
embarrassed by his incognito and all its consequent deception,
he could do nothing but tenderly express his regret at
parting, and speak vaguely and almost mysteriously of their
soon again meeting. He held out again his hand to Gerard who
shook it heartily: then approaching Sybil, Egremont said, "you
have shewn me a thousand kindnesses, which I cherish," he
added in a lower tone, "above all human circumstances. Would
you deign to let this volume lie upon your table," and he
offered Sybil an English translation of Thomas a Kempis,
illustrated by some masterpieces. In its first page was
written "Sybil, from a faithful friend."
"I accept it," said Sybil with a trembling voice and rather
pale, "in remembrance of a friend." She held forth her hand
to Egremont, who retained it for an instant, and then bending
very low, pressed it to his lips. As with an agitated heart,
he hastily crossed the threshold of the cottage, something
seemed to hold him back.
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