I felt quite excited upon reaching the Hall, and hurried to my room to smooth my hair preparatory to commencing the labors of the day. If I stood over my mirror longer than usual, remember I was young, and had a laudable desire to please. As I surveyed myself in the glass, I was guilty of a pleasurable cognizance of the figure and face reflected there. The walk and unexpected encounter had given an unwonted brilliancy and vivacity to my countenance. My cheeks glowed; my eyes sparkled; and from my chestnut curls depended wild flowers, and wreaths of Herbert’s twining; altogether a pleasing picture presented itself to view, which, without vanity, I was thankful to behold.
We had not been long at our lessons when a voice, gaily singing, approached the door, and without the ceremony of knocking, the gentleman whom we had passed in our morning ramble entered the room.
“I have been looking all over for you; why are you hiding yourself away up here?” said he, merrily. “Can you not take another pupil, Miss Reef?” at the same time drawing up his chair to the table at which Herbert and myself were seated.
“If he is as tractable as Herbert, I might venture,” I replied, assuming the gay, mocking tone of my questioner.
I soon saw that he was bent on remaining; so, taking from my desk a drawing-book and pencil, I placed them before him.
“There is your task; please not to interrupt me.” I was determined not to be beguiled from my duty by this gay cavalier. He permitted us to pursue our studies uninterruptedly till he had finished his drawing.
“There,” he exclaimed, placing it before me. “Will you not reward me for my industry?”
I looked at the sketch. It was bold and clear, shaded with a firm hand, spirited and original. I was truly surprised at the skill evinced.
After that day he visited our room often, calling in during the morning to exchange a pleasant word, or at the close of the school hours to loiter over our drawings and chat of books and music. His visits began to grow too pleasant to me. Some effort must be made on my side to render them less attractive.
One afternoon he entered as usual, and waited patiently till Herbert had recited his closing lesson. Then he arose, and taking a guitar from its case, commenced playing and singing a song in a most bewitching manner.