home.” So they walked with much determination, and Charlotte was silent, and the ardour of her lover was a little chilled; but yet never before had Charlotte heard simple conversation which seemed so eloquent, and so full of meanings— only, now and then, a few brief words; but oh! What long, long thoughts, they carried with them!
At the gates of her home they stood a moment, and there Harleigh touched her hand, and said, “I have never, in all my life, been so happy. It has been a walk beyond hope, and beyond expression!” And she lifted her face, and the smile on her lips and the light in her eyes answered him. Then the great white door shut her from his sight, and he walked rapidly away, saying to his impetuous steps—
“An enchanting creature! An adorable girl! I have given her my heart; and lost, is lost; and gone, is gone forever. That I am sure of. But, by George! Every man has his fate, and I rejoice that mine is so sweet and fair! So sweet! So sweet! So fair!”
Charlotte trembled as she opened the parlor door, she feared to look into her mother's face, but it was as serene as usual, and she met her daughter's glance with one of infinite affection and some little expectancy. This was a critical moment, and Charlotte hesitated slightly. Some little false sprite put a ready excuse into her heart, but she banished it at once, and with the courage of one who fears lest they are not truthful enough, she said with a blunt directness which put all subterfuge out of the question—
“Mother, I have been a long time, but I met Harleigh, and we walked down to the Universal Store; and I think I have stayed beyond the hour I ought to have stayed—but the weather was so delightful.”
“The weather is very delightful, and Harleigh is very polite.”
“I suppose he is.”
“The young man is very extravagant, I think. Do you know that it is quite noon, and your father will be home in a little while?”
And there was such kind intent, such a divining sympathy in the simple words, so that Charlotte's heart grew warm with pleasure; and she felt that her mother understood, and did not much blame her. At the same time she was glad to escape all questioning, and with the violets pressed to her heart, and her shining eyes dropped to them, she went with some haste to her room. There she kissed the flowers, one by one, as she put them in the refreshing water; and then, forgetting all else, sat down and permitted herself to enter the delicious land of Reverie. She let the thought of Harleigh repossess her; and present again and again to her imagination his form, his face, his voice, and those long caressing looks she had seen and felt, without seeming to be aware of them.
A short time after Charlotte came home, Mr. Morgan returned from his shop. As he entered the room, his wife looked at him with a curious interest. In the first place, the tenor of her thoughts led her to this observation. She wished to assure herself again that the man for whom she had given up everything previously dear to her was worthy of such sacrifice. A momentary glance satisfied her. Nature had left the impress of her nobility on his finely-formed forehead; nothing but truth and kindness looked from his candid eyes; and his manner, if a little dogmatic, had also an unmistakable air of that distinction which comes from long and honorable ancestry and a recognized position. He had also this morning an air of unusual solemnity, and on entering the room, he drew his wife close to his heart and kissed her affectionately, a token of love he was not apt to give without thought, or under every circumstance.
“You are a little earlier today,” she said. “I am glad of it.”
“I have had a morning full of back orders from the shop, and had to get away from all.”
“And have you met with the rigorous demand this morning?”
“Indeed, yes, and where is Charlotte?”
“In her room, she went to the Universal Store this morning for me, and
Harleigh met her, and they took a walk together to the store.
It was near the noon hour when she returned.”
“She told you about it?”
“Oh yes, and without inquiry.”
“Very good. I must look after that young fellow.” But he said the words without much care, Mrs. Morgan