“I can make no marriage present,
Little can I give my wife:
Love will make our cottage pleasant,
And I love you more than life.”
Violet’s eyes were shining through a mist of tender tears, her cheeks flushed rosily, and she returned the tender pressure of her lover’s hand.
“Cecil, I am not afraid of poverty with you,” she cried, bravely. “I only dreaded the world’s reproach. But why should I care for that, since we shall be all the world to each other? I am afraid of grandpapa, I love you, and I should be charmed to live at picturesque Bonnycastle, with that sweet lady, your beautiful mother. So I will run away with you at any time you say so. And Amber, you must be the bridesmaid, dear.”
“I will,” was the gay reply, and Amber said to herself that she would not miss being the bridesmaid for anything, but her smile just then was not good to see.
“Now that we have decided on the elopement, I had better take Violet home, for if we stay too long, Judge Camden may come out to look for us,” she added.
“Will you bring Violet out again to-morrow?” Cecil asked, anxiously.
“I will try, and, unless grandpapa is in a bad humor, I may succeed. But, at any rate, I will be here, and will decide on our plans for the elopement,” declared Amber.