“There was nothing the old lady desired more; for she had inquired about him meantime, and found he was a worthy man, as well as abundantly supplied with this world’s goods; so all was speedily arranged.
“To her surprise, when she came to announce her good fortune to her niece, and to arrange preliminaries with her, she found she was any thing but pleased, and only burst into tears.
“‘Why, child! what ever is the matter with you?’ she exclaimed. ‘You don’t mean you don’t like him? I’m sure he has spoken kindly and fondly enough to you. And what is more, he has spoken kindly and fondly enough behind your back, too; which shows his esteem is genuine, and no mere flattery.’
“‘That’s it. That’s just what makes me so wretched,’ sobbed Pura.
“‘What, wretched to think a good man loves you!’
“‘No, aunt, no; but to think that he is so good and so kind, and we have been deceiving him. When he finds I can do none of the things he has fancied I am so clever at, what will he think of me? With what face can I meet him? Will he ever respect me again?’ and she sobbed harder than ever.
“‘Nonsense, child, don’t take on like that,’ responded the aunt. ‘You’ve got through it all so far. Do as I bid you, and it will all come right in the end.’
“Pura, used to obey, and trusting in great measure also to the promises of the sunbeam-sprites, prepared to do her aunt’s bidding, though with somewhat mixed feelings.
“When the wedding-day was fixed, and all preparations made, Pura did not forget to go out early into the tomillar, and ask the sprites of the sunbeam how she should find their protégées, the three cripples of the hospital. ‘Leave that to us,’ said the sprites. ‘You have done your part in remembering them. We will take care they have the invitation; only give us the token by which they may be sure of being admitted.’
“‘A red and white carnation will suffice,’ answered Pura; and a cloud overshadowed the sunbeam.