good-night, she had said good-bye! Violet left the room reluctantly, and went down-stairs—went to join the handsome, dark-eyed young man upon the broad gallery overhung with trailing rose-vines, awaiting her impatiently. A moment more, and he had her in his arms, her golden head resting upon his breast. [Pg 11] [Pg 11] “Violet—my Violet! You are mine, are you not?” he whispered, passionately. She smiled up into his face, her dark eyes full of a tender light. “I am afraid that it is true Leonard,” she returned, demurely. “Then you do love me?” he cried, rapturously, drawing her closer to his heart. The shy eyes drooped. “Yes; I love you,” she whispered, softly. “I think I have always done that, Leonard, ever since—ever since I knew you.” “And I may speak to your mother to-morrow, darling?” he persisted. “I can not wait any longer. I want you, Violet; and my home is waiting for a mistress—a queen to reign over it. And my mother will be glad, I am sure.” Violet shook her head dubiously. He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow—a very dignified and arbitrary woman, with a pride second to none—an overbearing, tyrannical pride which ruled and dominated all her life. Would she welcome to her home the girl who would henceforth usurp her place in that home, as she had already in the heart of her son? Violet turned away with a strange, cold feeling settling down over her heart. “I am not so certain of that,” she returned; “but we[Pg 12] will not trouble ourselves about it now, Leonard. Of course you know that even if mamma says yes—do you think she will, Leonard?—I could not think of such a thing as marrying—oh, not for ages!” [Pg 12] A look of amusement passed over his face; he bit his lip to suppress a smile.
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