Аня из Авонлеи
XXVIII. The Prince Comes Back to the Enchanted Palace
NeverdidAnne’sfeetbearheronamorewillingerrandthanonthatwalkthroughthebeechwoodstoGraftonthenextmorning.ShefoundMissLavendarinthegarden.Annewasfearfullyexcited.Herhandsgrewcoldandhervoicetrembled.
“MissLavendar,Ihavesomethingtotellyou...somethingveryimportant.Canyouguesswhatitis?”
AnneneversupposedthatMissLavendarcouldGUESS;butMissLavendar’sfacegrewverypaleandMissLavendarsaidinaquiet,stillvoice,fromwhichallthecolorandsparklethatMissLavendar’svoiceusuallysuggestedhadfaded.
“StephenIrvingishome?”
“Howdidyouknow?Whotoldyou?”criedAnnedisappointedly,vexedthathergreatrevelationhadbeenanticipated.
“Nobody.Iknewthatmustbeit,justfromthewayyouspoke.”
“Hewantstocomeandseeyou,”saidAnne.“MayIsendhimwordthathemay?”
“Yes,ofcourse,”flutteredMissLavendar.“Thereisnoreasonwhyheshouldn’t.Heisonlycomingasanyoldfriendmight.”
AnnehadherownopinionaboutthatasshehastenedintothehousetowriteanoteatMissLavendar’sdesk.
“Oh,it’sdelightfultobelivinginastorybook,”shethoughtgaily.“Itwillcomeoutallrightofcourse...itmust...andPaulwillhaveamotherafterhisownheartandeverybodywillbehappy.ButMr.IrvingwilltakeMissLavendaraway...anddearknowswhatwillhappentothelittlestonehouse...andsotherearetwosidestoit,asthereseemstobetoeverythinginthisworld.
