Drawn irresistibly by the magnetism of his mind and manner Mrs. Worth forgot the flight of time and thought but a moment had past when an hour after the ball had opened, Sallie came out leaning on McLeod’s arm.
“Mama, have you been monopolising Mr. Gaston for a whole hour?”
“He hasn’t been here a half hour, Miss!” cried her mother.
“He’s been here an hour and ten minutes. I’m going to tell Papa on you just as soon as I get home.”
“Go back to your dancing.”
“No, thank you, I have an engagement to take a walk with your beau. Come Mr. Gaston.”
They walked to the spring and along the winding path by the brook at the foot of the hill, and found a rustic seat. They were both silent for several moments.
“I saw you were charming Mama, or I would have come sooner.”
“I hope she likes me.”
“She has been praising you ever since your visit to Independence. I never saw her talk so long to a young man in my life before. You must have hypnotised her.”