l countenance for some
encouragement to speak--I saw none. I then strove to read there the
sentiment then passing in her mind, and to my confusion, to my dismay,
it seemed to me that she was endeavouring to conquer in her countenance
the expression of pain. I watched intently--I was not deceived--a
sudden convulsion passed over her features, succeeded by the paleness of
an instant, and then a gush of tears--I was moved, almost to weeping,
yet dared not advance. Her tears were hurried off instantly; and then
again her dear smile of former days sunned up her countenance into
something heavenly.

CHAPTER SIXTY SIX.

RALPH BEGINNETH A CONVERSATION TOTALLY BEYOND HIS COMPREHENSION, AND YET
COMPREHENDETH MORE THAN THE CONVERSATION IS MEANT TO CONVEY--HE FEELETH
SOME INCLINATION TOWARDS LOVE-MAKING, BUT CHECKETH HIMSELF VALIANTLY.

"My own brave Ralph," said she, extending to me both her hands.

"Your schoolboy lover," said I: an immense weight of anxiety removed
from my mind, as I kissed her jewelled fingers.

"Hush, Ralph! such words are vanities--but ask me not why? Oh, my dear
boy, make the most of this visit--"

"I will, I will--how beautiful you are! how very, very beautiful!"

"Am I?--I rejoice to hear you say so! Ralph, speak to me as my own
devoted, my more than loved friend--by all the affection that I have
lavished on you, speak to me truly; do you, dearest Ralph, see no
alteration in me?"

"A little," said I, smiling triumphantly, "a very little, for there was
never room for much--you are a little more beautiful than when I last
beheld you."

"Thank you--you have given me more happiness by the fervent honesty of
that speech than I have experienced for days and weeks, nay, months
before. Stand from me, and let me look at you--you, Ralph, are also
much, very much improved--perhaps there is a little too much cast of
thought upon your brow--that thought is a sad wrinkle maker--but, Ralph,
you are not well dressed. But come and sit by me now, there, on that
low footstool. I always loved to play thus with your pretty curls--I
wish that they were a shade darker; as you have grown so manly, it would
have been as well. Truly, as I look into the ingenuous brightness of
your countenance, the joys of past happy hours seem to wing themselves
back, and whisper to me that word so little understood--Happiness. But,
Ralph, we will be alone together for this day at least--you shall dine
with me here--we will