Saving your presence, dearest, I would rather have Prince Otto, a very

lovable character for second affections to cling to. Richard Feverel would

never marry again, so I don't ask for him: as for the rest, they are all

too excellent for me. They give me the impression of having worn

copy-books under their coats, when they were boys, to cheat punishment:

and the copy-books got beaten into their systems.

You must find me somebody who was a "gallous young hound" in the days of

his youth--Crossjay, for instance:--there! I have found the very man for

me!

But really and truly, are you better? It will not hurt your foot to come

to me, since I am not to come to you? How I long to see you again,

dearest! it is an age! As a matter of fact, it is a fortnight: but I dread

lest you will find some change in me. I have kept a real white hair to

show you, I drew it out of my comb the other morning: wound up into a curl

it becomes quite visible, and it is ivory-white: you are not to think it

flaxen, and take away its one wee sentiment! And I make you an offer:--you

shall have it if, honestly, you can find in your own head a white one to

exchange.

Dearest, I am not hurt, nor do I take seriously to heart your mother's

present coldness. How much more I could forgive her when I put myself in

her place! She may well feel a struggle and some resentment at having to

give up in any degree her place with you. All my selfishness would come

to the front if that were demanded of me.

Do not think, because I leave her alone, that I am repaying her coldness

in the same coin. I know that for the present anything I do must offend.

Have I demanded your coming too soon? Then stay away another day--or

two: every day only piles up the joy it will be to have your arms round

me once more. I can keep for a little longer: and the gray hair will

keep, and many to-morrows will come bringing good things for us, when

perhaps your mother's "share of the world" will be over.

Don't say it, but when you next kiss her, kiss her for me also: I am

sorry for all old people: their love of things they are losing is so far

more to be reverenced and made room for than ours of the things which

will come to us in good time abundantly.

To-night I feel selfish at having too much of your love: and not a bit

of it can I let go! I hope, Beloved, we shall live to see each other's

gray hairs in earnest: gray hairs that we shall not laugh at, as at this

one I pulled. How dark your dear eyes will look with a white setting! My

heart's heart, every day you grow larger round me, and I so much

stronger depending upon you!




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