“Perfectly sure,” was ’Lena’s answer.
“The plague, she don’t,” thought John, as the door closed upon ’Lena; and such is human nature, that the young man began to think that if Mabel didn’t care for him, he’d see if he couldn’t make her, for after all, there was something pleasant in being liked, even by Mabel!
The next day, as the young ladies were sitting together in the parlor, John Jr. joined them, and after wringing Carrie’s nose, pulling ’Lena’s and Anna’s curls, he suddenly upset Mabel’s work-box, at the same time slyly whispering to his cousin, “Ain’t I coming round?”
Abrupt as this proceeding, was, it pleased Mabel, who with the utmost good humor, commenced picking up her things, John Jr. assisting her, and managing once to bump his head against hers! After this, affairs at Maple Grove glided on as smoothly as even Mrs. Livingstone could wish. John and Mabel were apparently on the most amicable terms, he deeming ’Lena’s approbation a sufficient reward for the many little attentions which he paid to Mabel, and she, knowing nothing of all that had passed, drinking in his every word and look, learning to live upon his smile, and conforming herself, as far as possible, to what she thought would best please him.
Gradually, as she thought it would do, Mrs. Livingstone unfolded to Mabel her own wishes, saying she should be perfectly happy could she only call her “daughter,” and hinting that such a thing “by wise management could easily be brought about.” With a gush of tears the orphan girl laid her head in Mrs. Livingstone’s lap, mentally blessing her as her benefactress, and thanking the Giver of all good for the light and happiness which she saw dawning upon her pathway.
“John is peculiar,” said Mrs. Livingstone, “and if he fancied you liked him very much, it might not please him as well as indifference on your part.”
So, with this lesson, Mabel, for the first time in her life attempted to act as she did not feel, feigning carelessness or indifference when every pulse of her heart was throbbing with joy at some little attention paid her by John Jr., who could be very agreeable when he chose, and who, observing her apparent indifference, began to think that what ’Lena had said was true, and that Mabel really cared nothing for him. With this impression he exerted himself to be agreeable, wondering how her many good qualities had so long escaped his observation.
“There is more to her than I supposed,” said he one day to ’Lena, who was commending him for his improved manner. “Yes, a heap more than I supposed. Why, I really like her!”
And he told the truth, for with his prejudice laid aside, he, as is often the case, began to find virtues in her the existence of which he had never suspected. Frequently, now, he talked, laughed, and rode with her, praising her horsemanship, pointing out some points wherein it might be improved, and never dreaming the while of the deep affection his conduct had awakened in the susceptible girl.
“Oh, I am so happy,” said she one day to ’Lena, who was speaking of her improved health. “I never thought it possible for me to be so happy. I dreaded to come here at first, but now I shall never regret it, never.”