" She ran across
the lawn, and came into the hall red with innocent happiness and
agitation. "They are found, aunt, they are found; don't cry. Mr. Dodd
found them close by, They have had no dinner, so that good, kind Mr.
Dodd is taking them into the kitchen. I will send Master Christmas
home with a servant. Shall I bring you Reggy to kiss?"
"No, no; wicked little wretch, to frighten his poor mother! Whip him,
somebody, and put him to bed."
In the evening, soon after the ladies had left the dining-room, the
pianoforte was heard playing quadrilles in the drawing-room. David
fidgeted on his seat a little, and presently rose and went for his
violin, and joined Lucy in the drawing-room alone. Mrs. B. was trying
on a dress. Between the tunes Lucy chatted with him as freely and
kindly as ever. David was in heaven. When the gentlemen came up from
the dining-room, his joy was interrupted, but not for long. The two
musicians played with so much spirit, and the fiddle, in particular,
was so hearty, that Mrs. Bazalgette proposed a little quiet dance on
the carpet: and this drew the other men away from the piano, and left
David and Lucy to themselves.
She stole a look more than once at his bright eyes and rich ruddy
color, and asked herself, "Is that really the same face we found
looking wan and haggard on the sea? I think I have put an end to that,
at all events." The consciousness of this sort of power is secretly
agreeable to all men and all women, whether they mean to abuse it or
no.
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