The woman stood with an anxious face awaiting an answer, when he suddenly laughed aloud:
"Nonsense!" he exclaimed. "Gerty has scarcely commenced her education. Paul is too honorable to engage her affections, till he is sure of my consent. When he asks me the question it will be time enough to refuse."
She walked to the window with a sigh, but turned back suddenly and put her hand on his arm.
"Look," she said, "and see for yourself. Oh, I wish her mother were alive!"
Paul and Gertrude were crossing the lawn together. In her arms she carried a favorite dog, which seemed to have been injured, for she bent over it, pressing her cheek to its silky hair. Her companion was talking earnestly; and just as Edward reached the window, she raised her head and gave one shy, loving glance into his face. That gaze told volumes to the anxious spectators.
Edward started, exclaiming in an angry tone:
"If he has dared,—" when she interrupted him:
"It is as I feared," she groaned, sinking back on a chair. "Now I beg you to be cautious, for the more you thwart her, the more resolute her determination will be. Oh, why did you bring him here!"
"You knew him better than I. He is a rascal; and I shall tell him so."
He caught his hat from the rack in the hall, and was starting for the door in an excited manner, when she again stopped him.