"How still the water is; and the stars, they are lovely!"
"You should see the gardens about three o'clock on Saturday afternoons,
when the excursion comes in from Brighton."
They walked on a little further, and Esther said, "What's these places?
Ain't they dark?"
"These are arbours, where we 'as shrimps and tea. I'll take you next
Saturday, if you'll come."
A noisy band of young men, followed by three or four girls, ran across the
bridge. Suddenly they stopped to argue on which side the boat was to be
found. Some chose the left, some the right; those who went to the right
sent up a yell of triumph, and paddled into the middle of the water. They
first addressed remarks to their companions, and then they admired the
moon and stars. A song was demanded, and at the end of the second verse
William threw his arm round Esther.
"Oh, Esther, I do love you."
She looked at him, her grey eyes fixed in a long interrogation.
"I wonder if that is true. What is there to love in me?"
He squeezed her tightly, and continued his protestations. "I do, I do, I
do love you, Esther."
She did not answer, and they walked slowly on. A holly bush threw a black
shadow on the gravel path and a moment after the ornamental tin roof of
the dancing room appeared between the trees.
Even in their short absence a change had come upon the ball.
Pages:
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109