"I see you are an enthusiast!" he said—"And you could not have better teachers than the Elizabethans. They lived in a great age and they were great men. Our times, though crowded with the splendid discoveries of science, seem small and poor compared to theirs. If you ever come to me, I can give you the run of a library where you will find many friends."
She thanked him by a look, and he went on—
"You will come and see me often, will you not?—you and Miss Leigh—by-and-by, when the conventional time of mourning for my poor wife is over. Make my house your second home, both of you!—and when I return from Italy—"
"Oh!" the girl exclaimed, impulsively—"Are you going to Italy?"
"For a few weeks—yes!—will you come with me—you and your godmother?"
His old heart beat,—a sudden joy lighted his eyes. It would have been like the dawn of a new day to him had she consented, but she shook her fair little head decisively.
"I must not!" she said-"-I am bound to finish some work that I have promised. But some day—ah, yes!—some day I should love to see Italy!"
The light went slowly from his face.
"Some day!—well!—I hope I may live to be with you on that 'some day.'
I ought not to leave London just now—but the house is very lonely—and
I think I am best away for a time—"
"Much best!" said Miss Leigh, sympathetically—"And if there is anything we can do—"