And now , by their sad demeanor , you would have fancied that the pilgrim lovers were seeking , not a temple of earthly joy , but a tomb for themselves and their posterity . `` Where in this world , '' exclaimed Adam Forrester , despondingly , `` shall we build our Temple of Happiness ? '' `` Where in this world , indeed ! '' repeated Lilias Fay ; and being faint and weary , the more so by the heaviness of her heart , the Lily drooped her head and sat down on the summit of a knoll , repeating , `` Where in this world shall we build our Temple ? '' `` Ah ! have you already asked yourselves that question ? '' said their companion , his shaded features growing even gloomier with the smile that dwelt on them ; `` yet there is a place , even in this world , where ye may build it . '' While the old man spoke , Adam Forrester and Lilias had carelessly thrown their eyes around , and perceived that the spot where they had chanced to pause possessed a quiet charm , which was well enough adapted to their present mood of mind . It was a small rise of ground , with a certain regularity of shape , that had perhaps been bestowed by art ; and a group of trees , which almost surrounded it , threw their pensive shadows across and far beyond , although some softened glory of the sunshine found its way there . The ancestral mansion , wherein the lovers would dwell together , appeared on one side , and the ivied church , where they were to worship , on another . Happening to cast their eyes on the ground , they smiled , yet with a sense of wonder , to see that a pale lily was growing at their feet . `` We will build our Temple here , '' said they , simultaneously , and with an indescribable conviction , that they had at last found the very spot . Yet , while they uttered this exclamation , the young man and the Lily turned an apprehensive glance at their dreary associate , deeming it hardly possible , that some tale of earthly affliction should not make those precincts loathsome , as in every former case . The old man stood just behind them , so as to form the chief figure in the group , with his sable cloak muffling the lower part of his visage , and his sombre list overshadowing his brows . But he gave no word of dissent from their purpose ; and an inscrutable smile was accepted by the lovers as a token that here had been no footprint of guilt or sorrow , to desecrate the site of their Temple of Happiness . In a little time longer , while summer was still in its prime , the fairy structure of the Temple arose on the summit of the knoll , amid the solemn shadows of the trees , yet often gladdened with bright sunshine . It was built of white marble , with slender and graceful pillars , supporting a vaulted dome ; and beneath the centre of this dome , upon a pedestal , was a slab of dark-veined marble , on which books and music might be strewn . But there was a fantasy among the people of the neighborhood , that the edifice was planned after an ancient mausoleum , and was intended for a tomb , and that the central slab of dark-veined marble was to be inscribed with the names of buried ones . They doubted , too , whether the form of Lilias Fay could appertain to a creature of this earth , being so very delicate , and growing every day more fragile , so that she looked as if the summer breeze should snatch her up , and waft her heavenward . But still she watched the daily growth of the Temple ; and so did old Walter Gascoigne , who now made that spot his continual haunt , leaning whole hours together on his staff , and giving as deep attention to the work as though it had been indeed a tomb .
In due time it was finished , and a day appointed XXXXX a simple rite of dedication .
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