What need to ask?
“Come!” she commanded decisively.
“With all my heart!” I exclaimed, wondering at this new caprice.
“If we can but slip away unnoticed, they will never find us there,” she said. And led the way herself, silent. At length we came to the damp shade where the brook dived under the corner of the wall. I stooped to gather the lilies of the valley, and she wove them into her hair as of old. Suddenly she stopped, the bunch poised in her hand.
“Would you miss me if I went away, Richard?” she asked, in a low voice.
“What do you mean, Dolly?” I cried, my voice failing. “Just that,” said she.
“I would miss you, and sorely, tho' you give me trouble enough.”
“Soon I shall not be here to trouble you, Richard. Papa has decided that we sail next week, on the Annapolis, for home.”
“Home!” I gasped. “England?”
“I am going to make my bow to royalty,” replied she, dropping a deep curtsey. “Your Majesty, this is Miss Manners, of the province of Maryland!”