And when at last he did go, in her eagerness to see
him, she forgot all about her scruples. Her heart sprang into her throat
as she caught sight of him. She could have cried at a fleck in the
miserable glass which spoiled her view. Then when he turned and looked
up, a wave of color rushed all over her face, and she jumped back in
such fear at the thought he might see her, although she was well hidden,
that he had passed out of sight ere she dared look out again. But that
upward glance and the eager look in his eyes consoled her for the loss.
Had he not looked up, she would no doubt have yielded to a revulsion of
self-contempt for her weakness, which would have been a damper on her
growing infatuation. But that glance had made her foolishly, glowingly
elated, and disposed to make light of the reproaches of her pride.
"I suppose you were waiting for that Hamlin fellow to go away, before
coming down," said her mother as Desire re-entered the living-room.
The girl started and averted her face with a guilty terror, saying
faintly, "What?" How did her mother know? Her fears were relieved,
though not her embarrassment, as her mother added:
"You needn't have been so much frightened, although I really can't
blame you for it, after all you've been through at his hands.
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