Even Winnie failed to keep time with her usually joyous
spirits, and there was one to whom this parting was not to be thought
of. Mr. Delwood had as yet received no positive assurance, that his
unmistakable sentiments towards Natalie were reciprocated, and yet he
was confident that she regarded him with no common interest. He had read
it in her soul, but he would hear from her own lips if happiness or
misery was to be his through life, and it was with a nervous step that
he wended his way on this last evening of her stay in Boston, that he
might hear his fate. As he drew near the house, he observed, though
early in the evening, but one dim light gleaming from an upper
apartment, and as he reached the gate it was fast, and a porter stood
within, who, to Delwood's hurried question if all was well, as he threw
him a gold-piece, replied in a sad tone--"kind sir, my orders are to
receive no one, as my mistress is dying, or you should have admittance
at once; but I know that you, of all others, could serve to lighten the
blow to my master, and if you take the responsibility, you shall be
admitted."
"Leave that with me," he replied, "you shall not be censured," and with
assumed calmness of manner, he entered.
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