“As if it had not been enough to know him by his face and form, I had his voice also in evidence of his identity. ‘Are you as glad to see me as all this, my little Drusa?’ he asked. And she answered with a shower of soft caresses and silvery tones.”
“And then?” inquired Dick.
“Why, then, of course, the house swallowed them up. The door was shut and locked, and the brilliant windows were darkened, and they had their happiness all to themselves, while I was left out in the cold.”
“You could not have been mistaken in what you supposed you saw and heard?” inquired Dick.
“No; how could I? That was not the only time I looked in at those windows either. A sort of fascination drew me there, to look in upon that lovely young creature. While I remained in the neighborhood, under the cover of coon hunting, I paid a visit to the lighted windows every night. Ah! night after night! night after night did that sweet little creature sit there waiting for him, leaving the windows open to guide him home, and keeping his supper warm, while he, sorry dog, was engaged gallanting Miss Anna about to balls and theatres, and scowling at better men than himself if they so much as looked at the belle.”
“Reding, I am deeply grieved to hear this; scarcely less so than I should be if the poor child were my own sister. But I repeat and reiterate most emphatically this truth, that she is really his wife, or believes herself to be so!” said Dick, earnestly.
“I think you are quite right, Hammond! The young creature herself, and all her surroundings breathed so sweetly of what you called ‘the sanctities of home life’ that no one looking on her could think evil of her. Indeed I thought evil of myself though, sometimes, for seeming to play the spy. But I couldn’t resist the temptation of looking into that beautiful interior. I meant no harm.”
“And your contraband pastime was never discovered?”
“Oh yes,” laughed Reding. “She rose once and turned round so suddenly, that she saw me before I could drop from my perch. She screamed and disappeared; and I could have scourged myself for frightening her.”
“And then, I suppose, your stolen visits ceased.”