“He is gone to town, ma’am,” answered Pina.
The little lady’s face fell. Its gladness was all gone in an instant.
“Gone to town again, Pina?” she repeated in a sad tone.
“Yes, ma’am, which he told me to tell you, as he was unwillin’ compelled for to go, and which he would be sure to come back very early,” said the girl, in her good nature; adding a little to her master’s message.
“Oh! did he say that, Pina? Did he say he would come back very early? Are you sure, Pina?” And the little face brightened up again.
“Sure as sure, ma’am; which ‘very early’ was his very words,” said Pina, telling a little white lie.
“What time is it now?”
“Near five, ma’am.”
“Then he will soon be here,” she said. And strengthened by this hope, she threw off the counterpane, and got out of bed.
With the help of her maid she dressed herself as carefully to please her husband’s taste, as a maiden might to attract a lover’s eyes.