“Where did you meet this prodigy of beauty and learning, father?” asked the son.
“At W——’s book-bindery, where I took some valuable old reviews for binding. She has worked there over two years, earning and supporting herself on four dollars a week. And until some one was needed to collate and arrange my old German and French reviews, her knowledge of languages had remained undiscovered. She bears an excellent character—is modest, pure, and unassuming. I was glad to hear Mr. W—— order his foreman to assign her to new and more pleasant duties, at ten dollars a week.”
“So, dear papa, you, too, brought joy to a toil-worn heart.”
“I hope so, child, I hope so. She told me she owed her education to a gifted mother. I saw her lips tremble and her eyes moisten when she spoke, and, thinking of our own loss, my children, I forbore to question her then. But I shall, by and by, for I feel strangely interested in her. So very, very beautiful; so talented, and yet in such humble circumstances. In looks, in manners, in conversation a lady who would grace any society, yet, after all, only a poor book-bindery girl.”
Lunch, which had been going on all this time, was over, and Mr. Legare, mentioning that he had some letters to write, went to his library, while the brother and sister went off, arm in arm, to a favorite alcove in the adjoining drawing-room.
“Frank, what do you think of this new discovery which our dear father has been telling us of? I never knew him to speak with such enthusiastic admiration of any one before.”
“Neither did I, Lizzie,” said Frank, gravely. “Seriously, sister, I must go and see this peerless girl—see her, too, before father goes there again, if I can. I do not want a step-mother younger than you are, dear.”
“Oh, Frank! Papa would never think of that!”
“I don’t know, Lizzie. He is young for his years. He has led a careful, temperate life, and is not beyond his prime either mentally or physically. Stranger things have happened. I repeat, I must go and see this girl for myself. W—— is a warm friend of mine, and will help me if there’s any danger.”
“I don’t know but you are right, Frank. Go, if you think best.”