I shall not
have a happy moment till she answers me."
"Are you sure you will have a happy moment then?"
"I don't know. That's the thing! Won't you help a fellow a bit,
Mrs. Brownlow? I'm quite done for. There never was any one so nice,
or so sweet, or so lovely, or so unlike all the horrid girls in
society! Oh, make her say a kind word to me!"
"I'll make her," said little Lina, looking up from her aunt's side.
"I like you very much, Captain Evelyn, and I'll run and make Essie
tell you she does."
"Not quite so fast, my dear," said her aunt, as both laughed, and
Cecil, solacing himself with a caress, and holding the little one
very close to him on his knee, where her intentions were deferred by
his watch and appendages.
"I suppose you don't know what your mother would say?" began Mrs.
Brownlow.
"I have not told her, but you know yourself she would be all right.
Now, aren't you sure, Mrs. Brownlow? She isn't up to any nonsense?"
"No, Cecil, I don't think she would oppose it. Indeed, my dear boy,
I wish you happiness, but Esther is a shy, startled little being, and
away from her mother; and perhaps you will have to be patient."
"But will you fetch her-—or at least speak to her?" said he, in a
tone not very like patience; and she had to yield, and be the
messenger.
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