See! Amrie started. Her glance is arrested by a handsome young man, who, in the confusion, walks proudly up the room. It is the horseman she met in the morning,—the one she answered so peevishly. All eyes are turned upon him, as with his left hand behind, and with the right holding a silver-mounted pipe, he walks up and down, his silver watch-seals swinging here and there. How handsome is his black velvet jacket, his full, black velvet breeches, and his crimson waistcoat. But more beautiful than all is his well-shaped head, with close curled brown hair. His forehead above the eyes is white as snow, although his face is brown, and a full light beard covers cheeks and chin.
“That is a statesman,” said one of the old women.
“And what heavenly blue eyes,” said another. “They are at the same time so roguish and so good-hearted!”
“Where can he come from?” said a third. “He is not of these parts.”
And a fourth added, “He is certainly a wooer for Amrie.”
The young man passed more than once up and down through the hall, apparently searching with his eyes, when suddenly he stopped, not far from Barefoot. He nodded to her. Amrie trembled, and a burning heat ran through her veins; but she did not move. Ah, no, he certainly nodded to some one behind her. He does not mean her. She made room for him to pass. He seeks another.
“No, it is thee!” said the young man, offering his hand. “Wilt thou?”
Amrie could not speak; but what need of words? She threw quickly all she had in her hand into the corner,—jackets, handkerchiefs, tobacco-pipes, house-keys.
They stood side by side, and the young man threw a dollar to the musicians. When Raven Zacky saw Amrie by the side of the stranger, he made the walls tremble with his music. Not more joyful can it sound to the blessed at the day of judgment, than now in the ears of Amrie.
She turned she knew not how. She was borne away by the stranger from all surrounding objects. She floated upon air, and it seemed as though they were alone, hovering therein. In truth, they both danced so well, that involuntarily all the others stopped to look at them.