then, a look; watched her countenance soften and open, as she felt I respected her mood, and enjoyed the gentle content of the moment.
"The distance between us shrank, and the light hoar-frost thawed insensibly: ere an hour elapsed, I was at her side, watching her sew, gathering her sweet smiles and her merry words, which fell for me abundantly. We sat, as we had a right to sit, side by side: my arm rested on her chair; I was near enough to count the stitches of her work, and to discern the eye of her needle. The door suddenly opened.
"I believe, if I had just then started from her, she would have despised me: thanks to the phlegm of my nature, I rarely start. When I am well-off, bien, comfortable, I am not soon stirred: bien I was—très bien—consequently, immutable: no muscle moved. I hardly looked to the door.
"'Good-morning, uncle,' said she, addressing that personage; who paused on the threshold in a state of petrifaction.
"'Have you been long down-stairs, Miss Keeldar, and alone with Mr. Moore?'
"'Yes, a very long time: we both came down early; it was scarcely light.'
"'The proceeding is improper'
"'It was at first: I was rather cross, and not civil; but you will perceive that we are now friends.'
"'I perceive more than you would wish me to perceive.'
"'Hardly, sir,' said I: 'we have no disguises. Will you permit me to intimate, that any further
