He is so candid, so
animated, so full of strength and courage. The sort of man to whom one
would naturally look in any emergency or danger; the sort of man in whose
company fear would be impossible."
"Diana," cried Charlotte, suddenly, "you are in love with him!"
"Lotta!"
"Yes, dear, you are in love with him," repeated Miss Halliday, embracing
her friend with effusion; "yes, over head and ears in love with him. And
you are ashamed to confess the truth to me; and you are half ashamed to
confess it even to yourself--as if you could deceive an old stager like
me!" cried Charlotte, laughing. "Why, you dear inconstant thing, while I
have felt myself the guiltiest and most selfish creature in the world for
robbing you of Valentine, you have been quietly transferring your
affections to this M. Gustave Lenoble--who is very rich, and brave, and
true, and generous, and what most people would call handsome! Bless you,
a thousand times, my darling! You have made me so happy!"
"Indeed, Lotta!"
"Yes, dear. The thought that there was a blank in your life made a dark
cloud in mine. I know I have been very selfish, very thoughtless, but I
could never have been quite free from a sense of self-reproach. But now
there is nothing for me but happiness. O darling, I so long to see your
M. Lenoble!"
"You shall see him, dear."
"And in the meantime tell me what he is like.
Pages:
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234