Indeed, on various pretences, they all withdrew one after another, save
Dolly, who was left sitting there alone. It was a great relief to be
alone, and she was crying to her heart's content, when she heard Joe's
voice at the end of the passage, bidding somebody good night.
Good night! Then he was going elsewhere--to some distance, perhaps. To
what kind of home COULD he be going, now that it was so late!
She heard him walk along the passage, and pass the door. But there was a
hesitation in his footsteps. He turned back--Dolly's heart beat high--he
looked in.
'Good night!'--he didn't say Dolly, but there was comfort in his not
saying Miss Varden.
'Good night!' sobbed Dolly.
'I am sorry you take on so much, for what is past and gone,' said Joe
kindly. 'Don't. I can't bear to see you do it. Think of it no longer.
You are safe and happy now.'
Dolly cried the more.
'You must have suffered very much within these few days--and yet you're
not changed, unless it's for the better. They said you were, but I don't
see it. You were--you were always very beautiful,' said Joe, 'but you
are more beautiful than ever, now. You are indeed. There can be no harm
in my saying so, for you must know it.
Pages:
938
939
940
941
942
943
944
945
946
947
948
949
950
951
952
953
954
955
956
957
958
959
960
961
962