Again Alida smiled, and Ludlow thought it was triumphantly.
“The dwelling of Oloff Van Staats is said to be commodious, and not badly placed. I have seen it,———”
“In your images of the future?” said the young man, observing she hesitated.
Alida laughed downright. But, immediately recovering her self-command, she replied—
“Not so fancifully. My knowledge of the beauties of the house of Mr. Van Staats, is confined to very unpoetical glimpses from the river, in passing and repassing. The chimneys are twisted in the most approved style of the Dutch Brabant, and, although wanting the stork’s nests on their summits, it seems as if there might be that woman’s tempter, comfort, around the hearths beneath. The offices, too, have an enticing air, for a thrifty housewife!”
“Which office, in compliment to the worthy Patroon, you intend shall not long be vacant?”
Alida was playing with a spoon, curiously wrought to represent the stem and leaves of a tea-plant. She started, dropped the implement, and raised her eyes to the face of her companion. The look was steady, and not without an interest in the evident concern betrayed by the young man.
“It will never be filled by me, Ludlow;” was the answer, uttered solemnly, and with a decision that denoted a resolution fixed.
“That declaration removes a mountain!—Oh! Alida, if you could as easily———”
“Hush!” whispered the other, rising and standing for a moment in an attitude of intense expectation. Her eye became brighter, and the bloom on her cheek even deeper than before, while pleasure and hope were both strongly depicted on her beautiful face—“Hush!” she continued, motioning to Ludlow to repress his feelings. “Did you hear nothing?”