"
"I do wish it," she said earnestly. "What must you think of me?"
(His eyes then expressed much admiration; but hers were fixed on
the ground and half filled with tears of vexation.) Then, with a
pretty humility that was exquisite in its simplicity and
artlessness, she added:
"You have noticed at home that they call me 'child'--and indeed, I
am little more than one--and now see that I have behaved like a
very silly and naughty one toward you. I have trampled on every
principle of hospitality, kindness, and good-breeding. I have no
patience with myself, and I wish another chance to show that I can
do better. I--"
"Oh, Miss Alford, please do not judge yourself so harshly and
unjustly," interrupted Stanhope.
"Oh, dear!" sighed Elsie, "I'm so sorry for what happened last
night. We all might have had such a good time."
"Well, then," said Stanhope, demurely, "I suppose I ought to be
also."
"And do you mean to say that you are not?" she asked, turning
suddenly upon him.
"Oh, well, certainly, for your sake," he said with rising color.
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