Another Discovery

           Ihadnotthecouragetoseeanyonethatnight.Ihadnoteventhecouragetoseemyself,forIwasafraidthatmytearsmightalittlereproachme.Iwentuptomyroominthedark,andprayedinthedark,andlaydowninthedarktosleep.Ihadnoneedofanylighttoreadmyguardian’sletterby,forIknewitbyheart.ItookitfromtheplacewhereIkeptit,andrepeateditscontentsbyitsownclearlightofintegrityandlove,andwenttosleepwithitonmypillow.IwasupveryearlyinthemorningandcalledCharleytocomeforawalk.Weboughtflowersforthebreakfast-table,andcamebackandarrangedthem,andwereasbusyaspossible.WeweresoearlythatIhadagoodtimestillforCharley’slessonbeforebreakfast;Charley(whowasnotintheleastimprovedintheolddefectivearticleofgrammar)camethroughitwithgreatapplause;andwewerealtogetherverynotable.Whenmyguardianappearedhesaid,"Why,littlewoman,youlookfresherthanyourflowers!"AndMrs.WoodcourtrepeatedandtranslatedapassagefromtheMewlinnwillinwoddexpressiveofmybeinglikeamountainwiththesunuponit.ThiswasallsopleasantthatIhopeitmademestillmorelikethemountainthanIhadbeenbefore.AfterbreakfastIwaitedmyopportunityandpeepedaboutalittleuntilIsawmyguardianinhisownroom—theroomoflastnight—byhimself.ThenImadeanexcusetogoinwithmyhousekeepingkeys,shuttingthedoorafterme."Well,DameDurden?"saidmyguardian;theposthadbroughthimseveralletters,andhewaswriting."Youwantmoney?""No,indeed,Ihaveplentyinhand.