She
would do as well as Edward, better perhaps. He yielded to impulse, and
addressed her, but with all the trepidation of a youth defying the giant
Etiquette for the first time in his life.
Julia was a little surprised and fluttered, but did not betray it; she
had been taught self-command by example, if not by precept.
"Certainly, Mr. Hardie," said she, within a modest composure a young
coquette might have envied under the circumstances.
Hardie had now only to explain himself; but instead of that, he stood
looking at her within silent concern. The fair face she raised to him was
wet with tears; so were her eyes, and even the glorious eyelashes were
fringed with that tender spray; and it glistened in the moonlight.
This sad and pretty sight drove the vain but generous youth's calamity
clean out of his head. "Why, you are crying! Miss Dodd, what is the
matter? I hope nothing has happened."
Julia turned her head away a little fretfully, with a "No, no!" But soon
her natural candour and simplicity prevailed; a simplicity not without
dignity; she turned round to him and looked him in the face.
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