Perhaps her uncle, the Canon, was not exactly the figure that she had expected to see, but as he came in sight down the road, she ran forward to meet him with ready affection.
“Well, my dear,” he said as he kissed her, “I am glad to see you here, for I wanted to have a little chat with you.”
“Did you, uncle?” said Emberance, blushing under her hat, and believing that she guessed the subject of his intended discourse.
“Yes, you are old enough, Emberance, and I hope sensible enough to have some power of judging of your own circumstances.”
“Yes, uncle,” said Emberance. “I think I ought to be allowed to judge a little for myself. Indeed, I could never wish for anything different under any circumstances, and I can’t see what circumstances are likely to arise in my life that could alter matters for me.”
“No,” said the Canon. “I am glad you have not been taught to look far away.”
“Mamma says that I ought to choose from a different circle, but I cannot now. And of course we know that we must wait,” said the girl, timidly, but with firmness.
“Choose? we? wait? hullo!” said the Canon, “what does this mean I should like to know?”
“Oh, uncle,” cried poor Emberance in dismay, “I thought you knew,—I thought you came about it! I thought he told you!”
“I came about something quite different. What is it, my dear? Or must I not pry into young ladies’ secrets?”