Love and Genius

Her face was shining on him; he had looked
Upon it till it could not pass away;
He had no breath, no being but in hers;
She was his voice: he did not speak to her,
But trembled on her words: she was his sight;
For his eye followed hers and saw with hers,
Which colored all his objects.

--Byron.

Early the next morning Ishmael walked over to Brudenell Hall with the
threefold purpose of making an apology for his sudden departure from the
ball; taking leave of the family for the holidays; and bringing home the
books he had won as prizes.

As he approached the house he saw Mr. Middleton walking on the lawn.

That gentleman immediately advanced to meet Ishmael, holding out his
hand, and saying, with even more than his usual kindness of manner: "Good-morning, my dear boy; you quite distinguished yourself yesterday;
I congratulate you."

"I thank you, sir; I thank you very much; but I fear that I was guilty
of great rudeness in leaving the party so abruptly last night; but I
hope, when you hear my explanation, you will excuse me, sir," said
Ishmael, deeply flushing.

Mr. Middleton kindly drew the boy's arm within his own, and walked him
away from the house down a shady avenue of elms, and when they had got
quite out of hearing of any chance listener, he said gravely: "My boy, I have heard the facts from Walter, and I do not require any
explanation from you. I hold you entirely blameless in the affair,
Ishmael, and I can only express my deep regret that you should have
received an insult while under my roof. I trust, Ishmael, that time and
reflection will convince young Burghe of his great error, and that the
day may come when he himself will seek you to make a voluntary apology
for his exceeding rudeness."