I felt quite excited upon reaching the Hall, and hurried to my room to
smooth my hair preparatory to commencing the labors of the day. If I
stood over my mirror longer than usual, remember I was young, and had a
laudable desire to please. As I surveyed myself in the glass, I was
guilty of a pleasurable cognizance of the figure and face reflected
there. The walk and unexpected encounter had given an unwonted brilliancy
and vivacity to my countenance. My cheeks glowed; my eyes sparkled; and
from my chestnut curls depended wild flowers, and wreaths of Herbert's
twining; altogether a pleasing picture presented itself to view, which,
without vanity, I was thankful to behold.

We had not been long at our lessons when a voice, gaily singing,
approached the door, and without the ceremony of knocking, the gentleman
whom we had passed in our morning ramble entered the room.

"I have been looking all over for you; why are you hiding yourself away
up here?" said he, merrily. "Can you not take another pupil, Miss Reef?"
at the same time drawing up his chair to the table at which Herbert and
myself were seated.

"If he is as tractable as Herbert, I might venture," I replied, assuming
the gay, mocking tone of my questioner.

I soon saw that he was bent on remaining; so, taking from my desk a
drawing-book and pencil, I placed them before him.

"There is your task; please not to interrupt me." I was determined not to
be beguiled from my duty by this gay cavalier. He permitted us to pursue
our studies uninterruptedly till he had finished his drawing.