She refused the money,
which, nevertheless, I gave her; and, from her careless replies, I soon
discovered the real truth.
The coat had been mended by Annie!
I descended to the drawing-room, and finding her alone, thanked her with
simplicity and sincerity. She blushed and pouted.
"Who told you?" she asked.
"No one; but I discovered it from Sarah; she was unguarded."
"Well, sir," said Annie, blushing still, but laughing, "there is no reason
for your being so grateful, I thought I would mend it, as I formerly
laughed at it--and I hope it is neatly done."
"It is scarcely visible," I said, with a smile and a bow; "I shall keep
this coat always to remind me of your delicate kindness."
"Pshaw! 'twas nothing."
And running to the piano, the young girl commenced a merry song, which
rang through the old hall like the carol of a bird. Her voice was so
inexpressibly sweet that it made my pulses throb and my heart ache. I
did not know the expression of my countenance, as I looked at her, until
turning toward me, I saw her suddenly color to the roots of her hair.
I felt, all at once, that I had fixed upon her one of those looks which
say as plainly as words could utter: "I love you with all the powers of my
nature, all the faculties of my being--you are dearer to me than the whole
wide world beside!"
Upon my word of honor as a gentleman, I did not know that I loved Annie--I
was not conscious that I was gazing at her with that look of inexpressible
tenderness.
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