For a moment both stood very
still, while Debby's tears streamed down like
summer rain; then Frank drew her into the green
shadow of the grove, and its peace soothed her
like a mother's voice, till she looked up smiling
with a shy delight her glance had never known
before. The slant sunbeams dropped a benediction
on their heads, the robins peeped, and the
cedars whispered, but no rumor of what further
passed ever went beyond the precincts of the
wood; for such hours are sacred, and Nature
guards the first blossoms of a human love as
tenderly as she nurses May-flowers underneath
the leaves.
Mrs. Carroll had retired to her bed with a
nervous headache, leaving Debby to the watch
and ward of friendly Mrs. Earle, who performed
her office finely by letting her charge entirely alone.
In her dreams Aunt Pen was just imbibing a copious
draught of champagne at the wedding-breakfast of
her niece, "Mrs. Joseph Leavenworth,"
when she was roused by the bride elect, who
passed through the room with a lamp and a shawl
in her hand.
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