Subj: Angels of Our Nature -- Chapter Two
Date: 11/19/00 6:38:07 PM Central Standard Time
From: Melissa

Jessamine sat in the library in front of the fire that blazed brightly. She had been trying to read Tennyson's Lancelot and Elaine, but she couldn't stop thinking about the mysterious Philip Brontė that had come into her life.

She gazed into the flames of the fire, she thought of Philip's eyes, they were do dark, and seemed to hold so many secrets.

A cough brought her back to the present. She turned and saw Philip Brontė in the doorway, the fire shining in his eyes.

"I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you," he said.

"Oh not at all," she said quickly smiling.

"What are you reading?"

"Tennyson, do you know his work?"

"Dear as remembered kisses after death,
And sweet as those by hopeless fancy feigned
On lips that are for others; deep as love,
Deep as first love and wild with all regret;
O Death in Life, the days that re no more!"

"That's wonderful, that's from Tears, Idle Tears," Jessamine said impressed.

"Yes, he is one of my favorite poets."

"Mine as well, you recited it so well."

"Thank you Miss Brentford."

"How do you know my grandfather?" Jessamine inquired.

"He was my teacher, Master Collins was always the a favorite of the students. He acted as though he was as old as us at times."

"He was like that?" Jessamine asked surprised.

"Yes," Philip said. "I guess you wouldn't know that side of him."

"No, perhaps if I did I would have some feelings for him. I feel guilty that I do not, but," she said.

"Never regret anything you feel. It is the only thing that you can trust when you have doubts in others," Philip said.

"Will you be staying long," Jessamine asked.

"I don't know yet, I've been traveling for so long, on my boat," Philip began.

"Is that your boat that I saw? I wondered who was sailing in that splendid boat."

"You like boats?"

"Oh yes, I've never been on one, but I love the water."

"Maybe I could take you for a sail, that is if your grandfather approves," Philip said.

"Oh please speak to him, I saw him with you, he'll agree to anything," Jessamine said.

Philip went over to the bookshelf and pulled a book down, "Have you read this one?" he asked holding up the book.

"I've read just about ever book in the library, which one is that?"

"Laurence Sterne's A Sentimental Journey."

"No, I don't think that I read that one."

"Let me read my favorite part to you," Philip said sitting in the chair beside her, he opened the book and flipped to the page that he wanted, "I was interrupted with a voice which I took to be of a child which complained it could not get out. I looked up and down the passage and saw it was a starling hung in a little cage. 'I can't get out. I can't get out,' said the starling. 'God help thee,' said I, 'but I'll let thee out, cost what it will.' But it was double-twisted with wire and thus was no getting it open without pulling the cage to pieces. I took both hands to it. The bird flew to the place where I was attempting his deliverance and, thrusting his head through the trellis pressing his breast against it as if impatient. 'I fear, poor creature,' said I, 'I cannot set thee at liberty.' 'No,' said the starling. 'I can't get out. I can't get out,' said the starling."

Jessamine sat in silence as Philip closed the book, a tear rolling down her cheek, "That's beautiful," she whispered finally.

To be continued....

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