But happiness and comfort seemed for the time to have departed from the youth. He saw her generous endeavors to cheer him, and while adoring her amiability, grew still more reserved.
This pained the gentle girl, who, taking herself seriously to task, said:
"Oh, I must have deeply wounded his feelings in some unconscious way! And if so, how very cruel and thoughtless of me! How could I have done it? I cannot imagine! But I know I shall not allow him to continue unhappy if I can prevent it! I will speak to him about it."
And then in the candor, innocence and humility of her soul, she followed him to the window where he stood in a moody silence, and said pleasantly:
"Traverse, we do not seem to be so good friends as formerly. If I have done anything to offend you, I know that you will believe me when I say that it was quite unintentional on my part and that I am very sorry for it, and hope you will forget it."
"You—you—Miss Day! You say anything to displease anybody! Any one become displeased with you!" exclaimed the youth in a tremulous enthusiasm that shook his voice and suffused his cheeks.
"Then if you are not displeased, Traverse, what is the matter, and why do you call me Miss Day instead of Clara?"
"Miss Day, because it is right that I should. You are a young lady—the only daughter and heiress of Doctor Day of Willow Heights, while I am——"
"His friend," said Clara.
"The son of his housekeeper," said Traverse, walking away.