13/14 As for Rebecca, now her head is laid upon Ivanhoe's heart, I shall not ask to hear what she is whispering, or describe further that scene of meeting; though I declare I am quite affected when I think of it. Indeed I have thought of it any time these five-and-twenty years--ever since, as a boy at school, I commenced the noble study of novels--ever since the day when, lying on sunny slopes of half-holidays, the fair chivalrous figures and beautiful shapes of knights and ladies were visible to me--ever since I grew to love Rebecca, that sweetest creature of the poet's fancy, and longed to see her righted. |