One night Emilia and Constance came home later than usual. They had been spending a musical evening at the Bordiers' house, and Emilia had noticed for the first time that Julian's attentions to her child were more than ordinarily marked. Now and again she looked apprehensively at M. Bordier, who was sitting in his usual corner, and seemed to be taking notice of his son's attentions to Constance; the father's face was grave and observant, but there was no trace of disapproval on it. This was comforting, but it did not remove Emilia's apprehensions. It was a fine night, and Julian walked home with them. It needed not a loving mother's insight to detect the newborn tenderness of Julian's manner when he bade Constance good-night and held her hand in his.
Mother and daughter derived delight from attending upon each other, but on this night Emilia dispensed with Constance's services. She brushed her own hair quickly, and then pressed Constance gently into a chair, and busied herself over the abundant tresses of her beloved child. With what loving care did she comb out the flowing locks, her heart beating with infinite love for this sweet and only treasure of her life! Then she coaxed Constance into bed, and knelt by the bedside and prayed.
Emilia rose from her knees, and bent her face down to Constance.
"He is coming to speak to you to-morrow, mamma."
The young girl hid her face on her mother's neck.
"I think only of your happiness, darling. I have no other object in life."
"Oh, mamma, you are the sweetest, dearest mother in the world. It is ungrateful of me; but, mamma, I cannot help it."
"I know, I know, my darling. What does his father say?"
"He dues not know--no one knows. Are you not surprised, mamma?"
"I think I have seen it for some time past, my sweet."
"And you never mentioned it, mamma--never even whispered it?"
"It was for you to speak first, Constance, and I waited."
"I can scarcely believe it. Oh, mamma, mamma, I love him, I love him!"
"Dear child! When does he intend to speak to his father?"
"After he has seen you. He did intend to speak to both of you first before he said a word to me, but somehow, mamma--I don't know really how it happened, nor does he--Mamma, you are crying!"