e talked a great deal about his trip, and in between the sentences, he
caught himself watching Marcia, noting the curve of her round chin, the
dimple in her left cheek when she smiled, the way her hair waved off from
her forehead, the pink curves of her well-shaped ears. He found a distinct
pleasure in noting these things and he wondered at himself. It was as if
he had suddenly been placed before some great painting and become
possessed of the knowledge wherewith to appreciate art to its fullest. It
was as if he had heard a marvellous piece of music and had the eyes and
ears of his understanding opened to take in the gracious melodies and
majestic harmonies.

Aunt Clarinda watched his eyes, and Aunt Clarinda was satisfied. Aunt
Hortense watched his eyes, jealously and sighed. Aunt Amelia watched his
eyes and set her lips and feared to herself. "He will spoil her if he does
like that. She will think she can walk right over him." But Aunt Clarinda
knew better. She recognized the eternal right of love.

They took the three old ladies home in the rising of an early moon, Marcia
walking demurely on the sidewalk with Aunt Amelia, while David drove the
chaise with Aunt Clarinda and Aunt Hortense.

As he gently lifted Aunt Clarinda down and helped her to her room David
felt her old hands tremble and press his arm, and when he had reached her
door he stooped and kissed her.

"Davie," she said in the voice that used to comfort his little childish
troubles, or tell him of some nice surprise she had for him, "Davie, she's
a dear child! She's just as good as gold. She's the princess I used to put
in all your fairy-tales. David, she's just the right one for you!" and
David answered earnestly, solemnly, as if he were discovering a truth
which surprised him but yet was not unwelcome. "I believe she is, Aunt
Clarinda."

They drove to the barn and Marcia sat in the chaise in the sweet
hay-scented darkness while David put up the horse by the cobwebby light of
the lantern; then they walked quietly back to the house. David had drawn
Marcia's hand through his arm and it rested softly on his coat sleeve. She
was silently happy, she knew not why, afraid to think of it lest to-morrow
would show her there was nothing out of the ordinary monotony to be happy
about.

David was silent, wondering at himself. What was this that had come to
him? A new pleasure in life. A little trembling rill of joy bubbling up in
his heart; a rift in the dark c