He kissed her forehead softly, and breathed:
"Heaven bless you, my beloved, and help me to make your future as happy as you have made me to-day."
He made her lie down upon the lounge, for she was nearly exhausted with her grief. He arranged her pillow, drew down the curtains to soften the light, and then went quietly out of the room.
When he came back an hour later he found her calm, though with a saddened gravity upon her that made his heart ache.
He told her that Dr. Waters had gone back to Virginia City, but that they had arranged for a clergyman to come to them to spend the following Sabbath, when Mr. Abbot desired the marriage to take place.
Virgie was strangely thrilled by this intelligence. It was Tuesday, and in five days more she would be Sir William Heath's wife! It all seemed like a dream to her.
On Saturday afternoon an elderly and venerable-appearing gentleman made his appearance before Mr. Abbots door.
He came in a strong mountain wagon drawn by a pair of handsome horses, and with him there was a large trunk—which Sir William ordered carried up stairs into Virgie's room—and two or three hampers, that were given to Chi Lu to be taken care of.
Virgie turned a wondering, inquiring look upon her lover at these proceedings, but he only answered by a quiet smile, and then introduced her to the Rev. Dr. Thornton.
The young bride-elect received him with the charming ease and self-possession that was natural to her, at which the stranger could not refrain from regarding her with a look of mingled wonder and admiration.