“You were lost, dear child,” she cried. “Your talents are of a high order, and you have at last found a field for them.”
Harry Welstone had attended a meeting at Ballynashaughragawn, and had held forth in my behalf, like a regular brick that he was. All my jealousy disappeared upon the mention of Melton, and Harry was again my confidant in everything.
“I don’t think she cares much for that fellow, Fred.”
“I tell you that they understand each other.” And I writhed in the agony of the thought.
“I think her governor is nibbling for Melton as a son-in-law, but there is no ring of the true metal about the girl’s feelings—nothing that I can detect; and I’m not utterly unobservant.”
I never felt that the gash in my heart was so deep until Miss Hawthorne referred to their leaving.
“Our time is up. We have overstayed our limit.”
“Surely you will not desert us until after the election,” said my mother. “You must celebrate his success, if success it is to be.”
“Oh! Miss Hawthorne is not interested in my success, mother,” I interposed.
She turned her violet eyes full upon me.