"I--I thought when you g-got good and ready, y-you’d speak your mind," said Kate to Noel. "I c-couldn’t go down on my knees and b-beg you to name the day, could I?"
"Do you mean to tell me," said St. Quentin, "that you will accept me,--that you will marry me, Kate?"
"T-that’s just what my p-poor, feeble speech is t-trying to g-get through your th-thick head," said Kate.
But Noel refused to be amused. He reached for Kate’s hand, and, in spite of Kate’s impertinence, if he had looked, he would have seen tears in her eyes.
Even Carolina was satisfied with the expression on Judge Fanshaw Lee’s face when he was whirled up the great avenue of live-oaks, and the new Guildford burst upon his view. He had snow-white hair, a pale olive complexion, and piercing black eyes. His eyebrows were still black, and he had a ferocious way of working them back and forth very rapidly when he was moved. This was one sign by which Carolina could tell; another was that the unusual colour came into his face.
Even before the guests had been to see their own rooms, Carolina was implored to lead the way and let them explore Guildford. This she was as eager to do as a young bride, and yet, in spite of her natural pride in her achievement, her modesty was so sincere and delightful that Judge Lee and Mr. Howard were obliged to ply her with questions.
The exclamations of delight were perfectly satisfactory, even to Mrs. Winchester, who moved with majestic mien in their midst, listening with a jealous ear for praises of her idol, and, by her questioning eyes, plainly demanding more of the same kind.
Mrs. Goddard’s eyes were dewy with gratitude, and Carolina whispered to her that she--Mrs. Goddard--was Guildford’s fairy godmother.
When they had all returned to the drawing-room, Mr. Howard turned to Judge Lee and said:
"Well, judge, what is your opinion? Isn’t this pretty good for one little girl to accomplish all by herself?"
"Mr. Howard," said Judge Lee and his eyebrows, "it is the most marvellous thing I ever heard of a young girl achieving. Why, sir, to us Southerners, it is nothing short of miraculous. Here are scores of my own dear friends, similarly situated,--land poor, they call themselves,--yet, as I cannot doubt Carolina’s word or your figures, and you both assert that Guildford has paid for itself, each and every one of them might restore their property in a similar manner. I had no idea of the value of this new turpentine company of yours."