Beckard would return; four or five days during which Susan might be
happy, Aaron triumphant, and Mrs. Bell nervous. Days I have said,
but after all it was only the evenings that were so left. Every
morning Susan got up to give Aaron his breakfast, but Mrs. Bell got
up also. Susan boldly declared her right to do so, and Mrs. Bell
found no objection which she could urge.

But after that Aaron was always absent till seven or eight in the
evening, when he would return to his tea. Then came the hour or two
of lovers' intercourse.

But they were very tame, those hours. The widow still felt an
undefined fear that she was wrong, and though her heart yearned to
know that her daughter was happy in the sweet happiness of accepted
love, yet she dreaded to be too confident. Not a word had been said
about money matters; not a word of Aaron Dunn's relatives. So she
did not leave them by themselves, but waited with what patience she
could for the return of her wise counsellors.

And then Susan hardly knew how to behave herself with her accepted
suitor. She felt that she was very happy; but perhaps she was most
happy when she was thinking about him through the long day,
assisting in fixing little things for his comfort, and waiting for
his evening return. And as he sat there in the parlour, she could
be happy then too, if she were but allowed to sit still and look at
him,--not stare at him, but raise her eyes every now and again to
his face for the shortest possible glance, as she had been used to
do ever since he came there.

But he, unconscionable lover, wanted to hear her speak, was desirous