Who would believe that this
was a coincidence, a mere coincidence? They could not be expected to
believe it; female vanity would not let them. He tingled, and was not far
from hating the whole family; so bitter a thing is that which I have
ventured to dub "The Tenderest Passion." He itched to soothe his
irritation by explaining to Edward. Dodd was a frank, good-hearted
fellow; he would listen to facts, and convince the ladies in turn. Hardie
learned where Dodd's party lodged, and waited about the door to catch him
alone: Dodd must be in college by twelve, and would leave Henley before
ten. He waited till he was tired of waiting. But at last the door opened;
he stepped forward, and out tripped Miss Dodd. "Confound it!" muttered
Hardie, and drew back. However, he stood and admired her graceful figure
and action, her ladylike speed without bustling. Had she come back at the
same pace, he would never have ventured to stop her: on such a thread do
things hang: but she returned very slowly, hanging her head. Her look at
him and his headache recurred to him--a look brimful of goodness.
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