"Papa says," and she read aloud from the sheet,
"How long you are lingering in Viamede. When will you return? Tell
Travilla I am longing for a sight of the dear face his eyes are feasting
upon, and he must remember his promise not to part us.
"I am writing in your boudoir. I have been thinking of the time (it seems
but yesterday) when I had you here a little girl, sitting on my knee
reciting your lessons or listening with almost rapt attention to my
remarks and explanations. Never before had tutor so dear, sweet, and
interesting a scholar!"
"A fond father's partiality," she remarked, looking up with a smile and
blush. "But never, I am sure, was such another tutor; his lucid
explanations, intense interest in the subject and his pupil, apt
illustrations, and fund of information constantly opened up to me, made my
lessons a delight."
"He has made you wonderfully well informed and thorough," said her
husband.
She colored with pleasure.
"Such words are very sweet, coming from your lips. You appreciate papa."
"Yes, indeed, and his daughter too, I hope," he answered, smiling fondly
upon her. "Yes, your father and I have been like brothers since we were
little fellows. It seems absurd to think of him in any other relation."
"But what about going home? isn't it time, as papa thinks?"
"That you shall decide, _ma chere_; our life here has been very delightful
to me, and to you also, I hope.
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