Dickens was her idol; and for his sake she
could have forgiven a greater offence than this.
The stranger's contrite countenance and respecttul
apology won her good-will at once; and with
a finer courtesy than any Aunt Pen would have
taught, she smilingly bowed her pardon, and,
taking another book from her basket, opened it,
saying, pleasantly,--
"Here is the first volume if you like it, Sir. I
can recommend it as an invaluable consolation for
the discomforts of a summer day's journey, and it
is heartily at your service."
As much surprised as gratified, the gentleman
accepted the book, and retired behind it with the
sudden discovery that wrongdoing has its compensation
in the pleasurable sensation of being forgiven.
Stolen delights are well known to be specially
saccharine: and much as this pardoned sinner loved
books, it seemed to him that the interest
of the story flagged, and that the enjoyment of
reading was much enhanced by the proximity of a
gray bonnet and a girlish profile.
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