The little Jessy anticipated Lucy, just as she was rising, and opened the door leading to the room spoken of.
“The fire burns brightly, uncle,” said the child.
“Will you walk in here with me, gentlemen?” said the governor.
The two strangers rose, and Governor H. held the door until they had preceded him into the room. Going in last, he threw another expressive glance at Lucy, and followed them, leaving the door ajar.
Lucy, with the quickness of her character, read in her uncle’s look that he wished her to overhear the conversation about to take place between himself and his visiters. Moving her chair, therefore, near the half open door, while her lover was engaged in speaking with her aunt, and playing at the same time with the soft curls of the fair Jessy, who was leaning on his knee, she applied herself to listen.
“Your names first, gentlemen: you have not yet introduced yourselves,” said her uncle’s voice.
“Mr. Dale,” replied the pleasing tones of the young stranger who had spoken on their first entrance, “and Mr. Brooks.”
“Be seated, then, Messrs. Dale and Brooks,” observed the governor, “and have the kindness to proceed in unfolding the nature of your errand.”
“I am the bearer of these documents for you,” said the harsh voice of him who had been introduced as Mr. Brooks.
Lucy here heard the rattling of paper, as though the governor were unfolding a letter. He proceeded to read aloud: