"Oh, no," she said, "I know of course that business detained
you;"--then, as she saw him looking at her piano, she advanced
towards it, and seating herself upon the stool, asked, "if he
would like to hear her play?"
He could not conscientiously answer "yes," for he felt that the
sound would sicken him; but he stood at her side and turned the
leaves of her music as usual, while she dashed through the piece
she had practised with so much care.
"How do you like it?" she said, when she had finished; and he
answered, "I always admired your playing, you know, but the tone
of the instrument does not quite suit me. It seems rather muffled,
_as if the wires were made of hair!_" and his large black
eyes were bent searchingly upon her.
Coloring crimson, she thought, "Can he have learned my secret?"
then, as she remembered how impossible it was for him to know
aught of the money, she answered, "Quite an original idea," at the
same time seating herself upon the sofa. Sitting down beside her
as he had been in the habit of doing, he commenced at once upon
the object of his visit, asking if her mother were at home, and
saying he wished to see her on a matter of some importance; then,
knowing who was really the ruling power there, he added, as
Eugenia arose to leave the room in quest of her mother, "perhaps I
had better speak of my business first to you!"
Feeling sure now of a proposal, the young lady resumed her seat,
involuntarily pulling at her fourth finger, and mentally hoping
the _engagement ring_ would be a diamond one.
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