I couldn't rest indoors. So, without a word to Josephine, I put on my things—snatched them on I should rather say—and followed Fred. Up and down the beach—but no signs of him. Where could he be?
As the time went on, and I continued to look for and expect him, I could scarcely contain myself. I sat down upon the beach; and the sun, setting, looked so magnificent. I tried to calm and comfort myself, making out a home in the clouds. Such a home! With such gardens and golden plains and palaces of ruby pillars—but no; it wouldn't do. And I felt all the angrier that I had so tried to cheat myself.
At the moment, who should glide past me—not seeing me, as I thought—but the very gypsey child who had brought that foolish bouquet, and that stupid note!
I resolved, taking a minute's counsel with myself, to discover the individual who had employed the gypsey; so followed the child, who suddenly seemed to guess my determination. "Want a nosegay, Ma'am?" said the girl. "Buy a nosegay to get me a bit of bread."
"Now, if I buy this nosegay"—and the little creature looked at me with her glittering eyes, as much as to say—in her artful manner—she was quite a match for me—"Will you tell me the truth?"
"Yes, lady; that I will, whether you buy or not, and sixpence will be cheap at the money."
"Well, then, who told you to bring me that nosegay yesterday?"
"Oh," cried the perplexing creature, with a burst of enjoyment, jumping up and down—"such a gen'l'man! Give me a shilling."
"And how did you know me—I mean, did he point me out to you?"—
"Yes;" answered the little elf—for she looked to me like a mischievous sprite, she laughed as I thought so wickedly—"yes: you was with another."