“How alike you are!” exclaimed Mr. Hammerton.
“Yes, I am very pretty,” replied Mr. Wadsworth, seriously.
Mrs. Wadsworth had taken her work over to Mrs. Bird for a consultation thereupon; Dine fell asleep, resting her curly head on the book that Mr. Hammerton had brought her.
When Mr. Hammerton arose, Mr. Wadsworth went to the door with him to look out into the night; Tessa said good night and went up-stairs; the sleepy head upon the book did not stir.
“I never can find a constellation,” remarked Mr. Wadsworth. “Tessa is always laughing at me.”
“Step out and see if I can help you.”
They moved to the end of the piazza leaving the door wide open; the sleepy brown eyes opened with a start—was she listening to words that she should not hear?
Mr. Hammerton had surely said “Dinah.” And now her father was saying—was she dreaming still?—“Take her, and God bless you both. I have nothing better to hope for my darling. She will make you a good wife.”
“Let it remain a secret I want her to love me without any urging. She must love me because I am necessary to her and not merely because I love her.”
Could Tessa have heard his voice, she would never again have accused him of coldness.