Would
you woo her like a raving maniac? I don't, indeed, wonder, after what
you heard her tell me, that you should have taken such a sudden fancy to
her; but--"
"Father," interrupted Hector, "it is no fancy--least of all a sudden
one! I fell in love with Annie the very first time I saw her waiting at
table. It is true I did not understand what had befallen me for some
time; but I do, and I did from the first, and now forever I shall both
love and worship Annie!"
"Mr. Hector," said Annie, "it was too bad of you to listen. I did not
know anyone was there but your father. You were never intended to hear;
and I did not think you would have done such a dishonorable thing. It
was not like you, Mr. Hector!"
How was I to know you had secrets with my father, Annie? Dishonorable
or not, the thing is done, and I am glad of it--especially to have heard
what you had no intention of telling me."
"I could not have believed it of you, Mr. Hector!" persisted Annie.
"But, now that I think of it," suggested Mr. Macintosh, "may not your
mother think she has something to say in the matter between you?"
This was a thought already dawning upon her that terrified Annie; she
knew, indeed, perfectly how his mother would regard Hector's proposal,
and she dared not refer the matter to her decision.
"I must be out of the house first, Mr. Hector," she said--and I think
she meant--"before I confess my love."
The impression Annie had made upon her master may be judged from the
fact that he rose and went, leaving his son and the parlor-maid
together.
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