Three days since the lawyer had left him; three days of doubt, and hope, and despair.
Had she loved him? Was that calm good-by to him from a heart indifferent? or did it hide beneath its cold exterior the smoldering passion which sometimes her eyes had seemed to express?
Dear Margaret! Generous girl!
And memory took up her virtues one by one, and fondly turned them over, while fancy told him what his life might be with such a wife as she.
And even while he mourned with fading hopes over the memory of her whom he had passionately loved as his Perdita, his chamber-door was briskly opened, and in walked Lawyer Davenport.
"Good-morning, sir! Glad to see you up! In honor of the day, eh?"
"Have you seen her?"
"Ha! first question. Nothing about how I enjoyed my trip, or stood it after my illness; only 'Have you seen her?' No thanks to you for your polite inquiries after me—I have seen her."
"And—what have you to tell me?"
"Come, now—what do you expect? You, who have such a poor opinion of the fair sex, shouldn't look for much from 'em."