“Well, let us leave this topic,” he said, “at least for the present. I shall not make you miserable. We will still look onward, and hope.”
Ann Woodburn gave him a look of most loving thankfulness, wiped her tears from her face, and they went on, hand in hand, in silence till they came up with their companions. Let us now return to the conversation of the mother and daughters at the Grange.
“I think,” said Letty, looking rather knowingly, “that ‘the course of true love’ really seldom does run smooth.”
“Yours, Letty, I think, runs smooth enough,” said Ann, brightening up. “Really, it is not for you to say that, with Mr. Thorsby’s declaration and your worthy parents’ consent given but yesterday.”
“Oh!” said Letty, blushing and looking very happy, “I was not thinking of myself, but of Millicent Heritage.”
“Of Millicent Heritage!” exclaimed her mother and sister; “why, what of her?”
“I am sure,” continued Ann, “Dr. Leroy is over head and ears in love with her. Never did I see a young man’s eyes always resting with such affectionate expression on any one as his do on Miss Heritage; and really she seems very fond of him; and a most accomplished and amiable man he is.”
“True, all true,” said Letty, taking a folded paper from her pocket. “I told you I would read you a bit of Miss Heritage’s poetry; and when you have heard it—well, then you can judge. This poem was given to Miss Drury by Millicent, and she has allowed me to copy it.”
“Oh, let us have it!” said both the ladies, “we never heard a line of Quaker poetry—not even that Mr. Moon’s you mentioned.”
“Moon James,” said Letty; “but now—” she began—