Before another word could be spoken, the door opened noiselessly, and Agnes Barker hesitated upon the threshold, regarding the two with a dark glance. She stood a moment with the latch in her hand, as if about to withdraw again, but seemed to change her mind, and stepped boldly into the room.
Mabel was looking at her adopted daughter and the door opened so noiselessly that neither of them had observed it. Thus Agnes Barker remained some minutes in the room, listening to their conversation with breathless attention.
"Mother," repeated Lina, and her face flushed like a wild rose, "I have something to say; don't look at me, please, it makes me afraid."
"Afraid, my child!" said Mabel, smiling, "afraid of your mother! Shame, Lina!"
"But I can only remember that you are his mother now, dear Mrs. Harrington!"
"Dear Mrs. Harrington! Why child what has come over you?"
"Something—something so strange and sweet that it makes the very heart tremble in my bosom, dear mamma, and yet——"
"And yet you are afraid!"
"Yes, mamma; you have thought so highly of him—he is so much wiser and nobler than I am—he—"
Mabel drew a quick breath, and turned her eyes almost wildly on the face of the young girl.