"
"Mr. Raleigh!" And there was the least possible shade of unconscious
regret in the voice before it added,--"And what was I?"
"You were some little wood-spirit, the imp of a fallen cone, mayhap, or
the embodiment of birch-tree shadows. You were a soiled and naughty
little beauty, not so different from your present self, and who kissed
me on the lips." "And did you refuse to take the kiss?"
He laughed.
"You were a child then," he said. "And I was not"----
"Was not?"----
Here the boat swung round at her moorings, and the shock prevented Mr.
Raleigh's finishing his sentence.
"Ursule is with us, or on the other one?" she asked.
"With us."
"That is fortunate. She is all I have remaining, by which to prove my
identity."
"As if there could be two such maidens in the world!"
Marguerite left him, a moment, to give Captain Tarbell her address, and
returning, they were shortly afterward seated side by side in a coach,
Capua and Ursule following in another. As they stopped at the destined
door, Mr. Raleigh alighted and extended his hand. She lingered a moment
ere taking it,--not to say adieu, nor to offer him cheek or lip again.
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