She nodded assent
“And what do you call these buttons?”
“They are opals.”
“How it all becomes you, girl! I'd never like to see you less smartly dressed! And now.—and now I am to lose you!” And he fell upon her neck, and clasped her fondly to his heart.
“Oh, my dear father, if you knew—” She could not continue.
“And don't I know!” broke he in. “Do you think that all my hard, bad experience of life has left me so bereft of feeling! But I 'll tell you another thing I know, Lizzy,” said he, in a deep, calm voice; “that what we fancy must break our hearts to do we can bear, and bear patiently, and, what's more, so learn to conform to, that after a few years of life we wonder that we ever thought them hardships!”
“We do not change so much without heavy suffering!” said she, sorrowfully.
“That is possible too,” said he, sighing. Then, suddenly rallying, he said, “You'll write to me often, very often, Lizzy; I 'll want to hear how you get on with these great folk; not that I fear anything, only this, girl, that their jealousy will stimulate their rancor. You are so handsome, girl! so handsome!”
“I 'm glad of it,” said she, with an air of proud exultation.
“Who's there?” cried Davis, impatiently, as a sharp knock came to the door. It was the Reverend Paul come to borrow a white neckcloth, none of his own being sufficiently imposing for such an occasion.