ia's airs. She never sang out loud,
or put words to her songs; but her voice was very sweet, and it was a great
pleasure to herself to let it go into music. Just as her jug was filled,
she was startled by Frank's sudden appearance. She thought he was at
Cambridge, and, from some cause or other, her face, usually so faint in
color, became the most vivid scarlet. They were both too conscious to
speak. Maggie stooped (murmuring some words of surprise) to take up her
pitcher.

"Don't go yet, Maggie," said he, putting his hand on hers to stop her; but,
somehow, when that purpose was effected, he forgot to take it off again. "I
have come all the way from Cambridge to see you. I could not bear suspense
any longer. I grew so impatient for certainty of some kind, that I went up
to town last night, in order to feel myself on my way to you, even though
I knew I could not be here a bit earlier to-day for doing so. Maggie--dear
Maggie! how you are trembling! Have I frightened you? Nancy told me you
were here; but it was very thoughtless to come so suddenly upon you."

It was not the suddenness of his coming; it was the suddenness of her own
heart, which leaped up with the feelings called out by his words. She
went very white, and sat down on the ground as before. But she rose again
immediately, and stood, with drooping, averted head. He had dropped her
hand, but now sought to take it again.

"Maggie, darling, may I speak?" Her lips moved, he saw, but he could not
hear. A pang of affright ran through him that, perhaps, she did not wish to
listen. "May I speak to you?" he asked again, quite timidly. She tried to
make her voice sound, but it would not; so she looked round. Her soft
gray eyes were eloquent in that one glance. And, happier than his words,
passionate and tender as they were, could tell, he spoke till her trembling
was changed into bright flashing blushes, and even a shy smile hovered
about her lips, and dimpled her cheeks.

The water bubbled over the pitcher unheeded. At last she remembered all the
work-a-day world. She lifted up the jug, and would have hurried home, but
Frank decidedly took it from her.

"Henceforward," said he, "I have a right to carry your burdens." So with
one arm round her waist and with the other carrying the water, they climbed
the steep turfy slope. Near the top she wanted to take it again.

"Mamma will not like it. Mamma will think if so strange."

"Why, dearest, if I saw Nancy carrying it