“Perhaps her seeming avoidance is mere accident, Mr. Burley. Go to the small drawing-room up-stairs and amuse yourself a moment. I will despatch a household order that is on my mind, and then I will go to her room. Without doubt she will be persuaded to see you.”
Mr. Burley went up-stairs, intending to go to the small drawing-room, but as he was passing “Aunt Susan's” private parlor, the door of which stood slightly ajar, he heard a joyous laugh which he recognized; so without knock or announcement he stepped confidently in. But before he could make his presence known he heard words that harrowed up his soul and chilled his young blood, he heard a voice say:
“Darling, it has come!”
Then he heard Rosannah Ethelton, whose back was toward him, say:
“So has yours, dearest!”
He saw her bowed form bend lower; he heard her kiss something—not merely once, but again and again! His soul raged within him. The heartbreaking conversation went on:
“Rosannah, I knew you must be beautiful, but this is dazzling, this is blinding, this is intoxicating!”
“Alonzo, it is such happiness to hear you say it. I know it is not true, but I am so grateful to have you think it is, nevertheless! I knew you must have a noble face, but the grace and majesty of the reality beggar the poor creation of my fancy.”
Burley heard that rattling shower of kisses again.
“Thank you, my Rosannah! The photograph flatters me, but you must not allow yourself to think of that. Sweetheart?”