250  TALES   OF   THE   BORDERS,

For  some  seconds  she  looked  at  the  kneeling  pair  in  silent
astonishment;  her  eye,  however,  chiefly  fixed  on  the
beauteous  countenance  of  Jessy  Flowerdew,  pale  with  ter-
ror and  emotion,  and  wet  with  tears.  Having  gazed  for
some  time  on  this  extraordinary  sight,  without  betraying
the  slightest  symptom  of  the  feelings  beyond  that  of  sur-
prise, with  which  it  had  inspired  her,  the  countess  slowly
advanced  towards  the  kneeling  couple.  She  still,  however,
uttered  no  word,  and  discovered  no  emotion ;  but  a  sud-
den change  had  come  over  her  proud  spirit.  That  spirit
was  now  laid,  and  its  place  occupied  by  all  the  generous
impulses  of  her  nature.  Keeping  her  eye  steadily  fixed
on  the  kneeling  fair  one  before  her,  she  approached  her,
paused  a  moment,  extended  her  hand,  placed  it  on  the
ivory  forehead  of  Jessy  Flowerdew,  gently  laid  back  her
rich  auburn  hair,  and,  as  she  did  so,  said,  in  a  tremulous,
but  emphatic  voice —

'  You  are,  indeed,  a  lovely  girl !  God  bless  you !  Alfred,
my  son,  rise,'  she  added,  in  a  low,  but  calm  and  solemn
tone ;  '  I  fofgive  you.'  And  she  extended  her  hand  to-
wards him.  The  earl  seized  it,  kissed  it  affectionately,  and
bathed  it  with  his  tears.
