“But, how? oh, how?”
“Wait you, and trust me!” answered Anna, flashing out of the room and taking the mysterious little document with her.
She walked—no, in the exhilaration of her spirits, she almost danced down the hall, towards her grandfather’s little study, over the great entrance.
As she tripped on she noticed the chamber-doors on each side wide open, and the fire light within shining down on the polished dark oak floors. In many of the rooms, the chamber-maids were putting on fresh logs.
“I think you need not take that trouble. I fancy there will be no wedding guests here to-night,” said Anna, smiling, as she passed them.
“Mr. Richard has come, Miss,” replied one of the women.
“Ah!” exclaimed Anna, stopping short with a beating heart. A few seconds she paused to recover composure, and then she rushed on.
“Well, my darling! have you come to show yourself to me in all your bridal glory, before you go down to be married? Ah! truly, you look very beautiful, my Anna. May Heaven make your spirit even more beautiful than its outward form,” said the fine old soldier, reaching out his hand to his grand-daughter, as she entered his room, and drawing her towards him.
“I am very glad that you are pleased with me, grandfather,” she said, as she seated herself on his knee.
“You look happier now, my Anna, than you did half an hour ago.”