Then she was lifted into his arms, and kissed with a fervor she mistook for awakening passion, and her heart bounded more madly in the belief that her victory was complete, that he would henceforward be hers in feeling as in name.
Yet the words breathed into her ear as her head rested upon his bosom might have taught her the fallacy of her conviction and her hopes.
“My noble, faithful girl! What have I to offer you in payment for all this?”
“I ask nothing, except the right to be with, and to serve you!” responded Rosa.
And she thought she spoke the whole truth for once.
CHAPTER XII. — AUNT RACHEL WAXES UNCHARITABLE.
“A SLY, artful, treacherous jade?” articulated Mrs. Sutton, energetically. “I have no patience with her. And they say she is so overjoyed at her conquest that she trumpets the engagement everywhere. Such shameless carrying on I never heard of. If she ever crosses my path I shall treat her to some wholesome truths.”
“What good would that do, aunt?” asked Mabel Dorrance, without raising her head from her sewing. “And what has she done that should incense you or any one else against her? She was free to choose a husband, and we have no right to cavil at her choice. I hope she will be very happy. I used to love her—we loved each other very fondly once. There are some excellent traits in Rosa's character, and when she is once married she will be less volatile.”