"See, Patty! The boy shall drink blood like this, till, drunk with it, he can hold on no more, and drops into our fate as in this vial."
As he spoke he let the leech fall in the bottle, where its reflection in the glass seemed to splash blood.
"Ha, ha! Van Dorn, I love you!" the woman cried, and smothered him with caresses.
Chapter XXVII.
CANNON'S FERRY.
When it was announced to Levin and Hulda, who had meantime been talking in the garden, dangerously near the subject of love, that they were to be given a ride to Cannon's Ferry with Captain Van Dorn, at the especial desire of Aunt Patty Cannon—who also sent them a handful of half-cents to spend—they were both delighted, though Hulda said:
"Dear Levin, if it was only ourselves going for good, how happy we might be! I could live with your beautiful mother and work for her, and, knowing me to be always there, you would bring your money home instead of wasting it."
"Can't we do so some way?" asked Levin. "Oh, I wish I had some sense! I wish Jimmy Phœbus was yer, Huldy, to take me out thair in the garden an' whip me like my father. But, if I hadn't come yer, how could I have seen you, Huldy?"
"How could I have spent such a heavenly night of peace and hope if you had not come, dear? The Good Being must have led you to me."