The request was one entirely in sympathy with the mood and the previous

conversation, and madam was pleased to gratify it; also pleased, that,

having fully satisfied the claims of social life, she could with

courtesy leave her visitor's further entertainment with Katherine, and

return to her regular domestic cares. To her the visit had appeared to

be one of such general interest, that she never suspected any motive

beneath or beyond the friendliness it implied. Yet the moment the

parlour-door had been shut, Mrs. Gordon lifted Katharine's face between

her palms, and said,-"Faith, child, I am almost run off my head with all the fine things I

have listened to for your sake. Do you know who sent me here?"

"I think, madam, Captain Hyde."

"Psha! Why don't you blush, and stammer, and lie about it? 'I think,

madam, Captain Hyde,'" mimicking Katherine's slight Dutch accent. "'Tis

to be seen, miss, that you understand a thing or two. Now, Captain Hyde

wishes to see you; when can you oblige him so much?"

"I know not. To come to Madam Semple's is forbidden me by my father."

"It is on my account. I protest your father is very uncivil."

"Madam, no; but it is the officers; many come and go, and he thinks it

is not good for me to meet them."

"Oh, indeed, miss, it is very hard on Captain Hyde, who is more in love

than is reasonable Has your father forbidden you to walk down your

garden to the river-bank?"

"No, madam."

"Then, if Captain Hyde pass about two o'clock, he might see you there?"

"At two I am busy with Joanna."

"La, child! At three then?"

"Three?"

The word was a question more than an assent; but Mrs. Gordon assumed the

assent, and did not allow Katharine to contradict it. "And I promised to

bring him a token from you,--he was exceedingly anxious about that

matter; give me the ribbon from your hair."

"Only last week Joanna bought it for me. She would surely ask me, 'Where

is your new ribbon?'"

"Tell her that you lost it."

"How could I say that? It would not be true."

The girl's face was so sincere, that Mrs. Gordon found herself unable to

ridicule the position. "My dear," she answered, "you are a miracle. But,

among all these pretty things, is there nothing you can send?"




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024