He
began grimly to play with it. Just then Janet opened the door. She gave
a delighted exclamation, and, coming eagerly forward, smilingly held out
her arms for the kitten. She was dressed for the evening, and the
little thing began clawing about her lovely gown, and in one instant had
pulled to shreds a very expensive bit of trimming.
I started up in distress; but Janet, putting the kitten gently back on
the table, burst into laughter. I am very sure I had never heard Janet
laugh before, and I don't think Paul ever had. A prettier, happier, more
silvery little peal could not be imagined; but it was not so much that
which struck home to my heart as the fact that if I had shut my eyes I
could have thought _my_ Janet stood in the room. The girl had her
mother's laugh.
I returned hastily to my work, and did not dare to lift my head until
Janet was gone--then I looked stealthily at Paul.
The sun was just setting--the sky a rolling roseate glory from end to
end. Paul--my Paul--my Paul, with the old beautiful light in his face,
stood, with arms crossed, looking up into it. All at once something came
into my throat which almost stifled me, so that I could not have sat
where I was for any consideration whatever. I slipped quietly away and
left him.
From this day I loved the girl. Whether it was her carelessness about
the dress--so like her mother--or the laugh--or what--I loved her now
almost as much as I had loved her mother.
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