3-052-425 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

A Leap-Year Valentine, 1880. Illustration to a poem by John Latey. 'Upon the eve of sweet St. Valentine, Phil, passing through the Castle hall, met Kate...The girl, with one hand to her heart pressed hard, A letter from her bosom took, and said - "Here is my answer; read it for yourself, And judge. To-morrow is St. Valentine; And when you stopped me so imperiously (I never knew you, Phil, so masterful To me before) I was about to place The letter in the post-bag, so that he To whom it is addressed (you see the name) Might have to-morrow morn a valentine, For Leap Year gives this license to us girls... He seized the letter, looking full at Kate Upon whose cheeks swift blushes came and went As sunshine comes and goes in April time, And in whose eyes Love's augury he read. Then Philip, eagerly - "What is this, Kate? Say, can you, do you, love me in return?". "Read!" was her answer, in a whisper given. With this, she would have glided from the room, But Philip snatched her to his heart, and held Her there,...While he devoured, not read, Kate's valentine'. From "Illustrated London News", 1880.