Then, however, it came to his turn to dance, and he had a moment allowed
to him to collect his thoughts. By nothing that he could do or say could
he prevent her going, and he could only use the present moment to the
best purpose in his power. He bethought himself then that he had never
received from her a word of encouragement, and that such word, if ever
to be spoken, should be forthcoming that night. What might not happen to
a girl who was passing the balmy Christmas months amid the sweet shadows
of an Italian lake? Harry's ideas of an Italian lake were, in truth, at
present somewhat vague. But future months were, to his thinking,
interminable; the present moment only was his own. The dance was now
finished. "Come and take a walk," said Harry.
"I think I will go to mamma." Florence had seen her mother's eye fixed
upon her.
"Oh, come, that won't do at all," said Harry, who had already got her
hand within his arm. "A fellow is always entitled to five minutes, and
then I am down for the next waltz."
"Oh no!"
"But I am, and you can't get out of it now. Oh, Florence, will you
answer me a question,--one question? I asked it you before, and you did
not vouchsafe me any answer."
"You asked me no question," said Florence, who remembered to the last
syllable every word that had been said to her on that occasion.
Pages:
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164