“No-o. I don’t know. I like him, you know.” She twisted a button on her father’s coat round and round.
“Ah-h!” he shook his head. “That will not do, my baby. You are too young to judge of what is best for you. Give him no more thought. I cannot have my little girl throw herself away upon a poverty-stricken fellow with no means of livelihood and not likely to have any. You are still too young to have this weigh long upon you, my love. Be guided by your daddy, who thinks only of your happiness, and give up this young man, if you love me.”
Lettice’s lip quivered, but she said bravely: “But suppose I cannot help loving him, father. I would not love you any the less; and it would only mean that I would always be at home with you, if I were faithful to him the rest of my life.”
“You have not seen him? He has kept his word to William that he would not try to see you till my return?”
“Yes; but I know he is as true to me as I am to him. If you say so, father, I will not see him again, and I know he would not have me do anything to make you unhappy, but—” She put her head on her father’s shoulder to hide her wet eyes.
Mr. Hopkins looked troubled. “Well, my love, well, just let me have time to look further into the matter. I didn’t realize that you felt so about it. Don’t let your old dad make you unhappy upon this very first day of his home-coming. Cheer up now, and let it rest as it is for the present. I promise you to give the subject my best attention.”
Lettice put up her mouth for a kiss, feeling a little more comforted. Surely her father loved her too well to let her be miserable all the days of her life. Perhaps, after years and years of waiting, when her lad should have become a rich man through some unexpected means, her father would consent; meantime she would try to be happy, and she could at least think of him, even if she didn’t see him.
If there was happiness and peace at Sylvia’s Ramble, so there was a great joy in the home of the fair bride. Such a glad ending to a sad year. Her Joe’s wife! Faithful, loving Patsey had no other thought; and when, as the day drew to a close, and the guests from far and near came flocking in, each whispered to the other, “Did you ever see such a radiant face as the bride’s?”
“And when is your wedding to be, Lettice?” asked Becky Lowe, important in her own prospective marriage.
“Law, child, don’t ask me!” replied Lettice, lightly. “But pray don’t insist that I shall be your bridesmaid, Becky, if you would have me married, for this is my second service in that capacity; the first was at Brother William’s wedding, and you know the old saying, ‘three times a bridesmaid, never a bride.’”