"Partly by guess—partly by observation," said Edith, laughing. "Let me prove it," she continued, playfully, as she deftly captured the obnoxious spectacles, and then looked mischievously straight into the beautiful but startled orbs thus disclosed.
"Child! child! what are you doing?" exclaimed the woman, in a nervous tone, as she tried to get possession of her property again. "Pray, give them back to me at once."
But Edith playfully evaded her, and clasped them in her hands behind her.
"I knew it! I knew it!" she cried, in a voice of merry triumph. "They are remarkably beautiful, and no one would ever believe there was anything the matter with them. Oh! I love such eyes as yours, Mrs. Weld—they are such a delicious color—so clear, so soft, and expressive."
And Edith, inspired by a sudden impulse, leaned forward and kissed the woman on the forehead, just between the eyes which she had been so admiring.
Mrs. Weld seemed to be strangely agitated by this affectionate little act.
Tears sprang into her eyes, and her lips quivered with emotion for a moment.
Then she put out her arms and clasped the beautiful girl in a fond embrace, and softly returned her caress.
"You are a lovable little darling—every inch of you," she said, with sudden fervor.
"What a mutual admiration society we have constituted ourselves, Mrs. Weld! But, I am sure, I am very happy to know that there is some one in the world who feels so tenderly toward me."