"
"I wish you could tell him so. No, I know you can't; but you might
let him feel it, for you need not be afraid of his ever asking you
again. They have had a great examination of his lungs, and there's
only part of one in any sort of order. They say he may go on with
great care unless he catches cold, or sets the disease off again, and
upon that he made up his mind that it was a very good thing he had
not disturbed your peace."
"As if I should not be just as sorry!" said Babie. "Oh, Sydney, what
a sad world it is! And there is he going about as manful, and
pleased, and merry about this wedding as if it were his own. And the
worst of it is, though I do admire him so, it can't be real, proper,
lover's love, for I felt quite glad when you said he would never ask
me, so it is all wasted."
The mothers would hardly have liked the subject of the maidens' talk
in their bower, and Barbara bade good-night, feeling as if she should
never look at Fordham with the same eyes again; but the light of day
restored commonplace thoughts of the busy Monday.
Reeves, having been sent up by his lord with inquiries, found the
patient's toilet so far advanced, that under protest he could only
assist in the remainder. So the hero and heroine met on the stairs,
and clasped hands in haste to the sound of the bell for morning
prayers in the household chapel, to which they carried their thankful
hearts.
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