"How did you like that?" asked Cornelius giving me a curious look.
"Not at all. It mortified me so much I could scarcely do it; but I was never rude to Deborah again."
"How is it I never heard of this story before?"
"I begged of Kate not to tell you. I could not bear that you should think me ungenerous and mean."
"And the moral of all that, Daisy?"
"That it is very mean to be jealous, Cornelius; very mean and ungenerous; and that I hope never to be so again. Do you still think I shall?" I added, glancing up at his face.
"I think," he replied, looking down into mine, "that there is a strange spark of austere ambition in you, strange in one so young: and that what it will lead to is more than I can tell."
"Cornelius, I don't feel ambitious; but I long to be good, and I hope God will help me."
"If that is not ambitious, I don't know anything about it," replied Cornelius; "but it is a very fine ambition, Daisy; and I am glad you have it; ay, and I respect you for it, too!"
I looked up at him, to make sure he did not speak in jest; but he seemed quite grave and in earnest. I felt much relieved; this matter had lain on my heart a year and more, yet I never could have spoken to him, had he not been going away. The passionate wish of making him give me a little more of his regard and esteem had, alone, loosened my tongue, that wish was now more than gratified by his words.