Drusilla, at a sign from Mrs. Lyon, seated herself near the talkers.
“I want you to see how much your protegée has improved, Alick,” said Alick’s mother.
“Oh, I have seen, Madam,” answered Alexander with a smile.
“After supper I want her to sing and play for you. She has a wonderful proficiency in music,” said Mrs. Lyon.
“I shall be glad to have a specimen of her skill, mother,” said the young man, turning to his father, and taking up the thread of the broken conversation, in order to relieve Drusilla, who was embarrassed by all this notice.
What between her own half-consciousness and her mother’s severe lecture, Drusilla was perplexed and distressed. The great pleasure she had anticipated from the arrival of Alexander was mixed with strange pain—a pain not the less poignant because she could not understand it. To become the cold and formal stranger to him that her mother wished her to be, seemed impossible; while to continue the familiar child-pet that she had hitherto been to him was not to be thought of. If he had only been her brother, so that she might have had a right to his caresses, how happy she could have been, she dared to think.
But as it was, she could scarcely venture to glance at him, because each glance thrilled her soul with such strange, wild emotion, half delight, half dread. Ah, friends, she was a child of the sun, fervent, earnest, devoted in all her ardent soul. She was already, all unknown to herself, deeply and passionately attached to Alexander Lyon. The budding love of years had this evening burst into full bloom. And yet it was even more religion than love, and more worship than passion.
Supper was announced and every one arose.
“Come, Drusilla, you are the only young lady present,” said Alexander, taking her hand to lead her in to supper.
He felt that small hand flutter and throb within his own like the heart of a captured bird. He turned suddenly and looked at her. Her eyes were cast down, and her cheeks were crimson. He gazed on her for a moment in grave silence, and then slightly frowning, led her on into the dining room, and placed her in a chair at the table. He paid her all due attention at the supper, but with a certain reserve that he had never used with her before.