After three days had passed thus, I concluded I would explain to him my
motive. Accordingly, in the afternoon, when my hour of recreation came,
I brushed my hair carefully, changed my dress, and descended to the
piazza on which he generally lounged in the afternoon with a cigar.
As he was not there, I seated myself on a rustic chair to watch for
him. I had not sat many minutes when I heard the wheels of a carriage
on the gravel path; then the gay voice of Mr. Richard met my ear. I
turned: he was seated in the vehicle with a valise beside him, and was
apparently bound on a journey. As he caught sight of me, he raised his
hat, bowed distantly, and drove off.
A dreary sense of loneliness crept over me. The setting sun filled the
west with its golden splendor. Great yellow bars of sunlight streamed
through the railing, and lit up the floor of the piazza. Sitting there
I was bathed in its ruddy flood. Happy birds poured forth their evening
song in the bushes near by; but I was miserable and alone. All nature
seemed to rejoice, while I, her child, was desolate.
“You appear sad, miss,” said a voice close beside me. I looked up and
beheld the elder Mr. Bristed. He had evidently observed my emotion, and
his dark eye looked a reproof that his lips did not utter.
Presently, he seated himself near me, and asked a few questions as to
the progress my pupil was making. Having satisfied him on those points,
he inquired kindly if I was lonely or discontented.
“Oh, no,” I answered, heartily, hoping to place a barrier to any
further inquiries on that point.
“But you have been weeping,” said he, in a subdued voice.
“Not because I am lonely,” said I, resolved to have the truth out; “but
I fear I have wounded the feelings of your brother.”
“My brother!” he repeated. “Ah! you have become acquainted with him?
He is bright and glittering like the sun; but be careful, my child, be
careful! Young birds should avoid the glittering steel of the fowler.
But youth will seek its own experience,” he remarked, with a deep
sigh. “No friendly warning will teach the young to beware of danger.
But consider me your friend, Miss Reef, and let me likewise be your
monitor.”
Without waiting for my reply, he hastily left me and entered the house.