? ? ? ? The stage-coach was to put us down near Covent Garden, where we were to take another stage-coach for Highgate. I was impatient for the short walk in the interval, that Agnes might praise Dora to me. Ah! what praise it was! How lovingly and fervently did it commend the pretty creature I had won, with all her artless graces best displayed, to my most gentle care! How thoughtfully remind me, yet with no pretence of doing so, of the trust in which I held the orphan child!
? ? ? ? Never, never, had I loved Dora so deeply and truly, as I loved her that night. When we had again alighted, and were walking in the starlight along the quiet road that led to the Doctor's house, I told Agnes it was her doing.
? ? ? ? 'When you were sitting by her,' said I, 'you seemed to be no less her guardian angel than mine; and you seem so now, Agnes.'
? ? ? ? 'A poor angel,' she returned, 'but faithful.'
? ? ? ? The clear tone of her voice, going straight to my heart, made it natural to me to say:
? ? ? ? 'The cheerfulness that belongs to you, Agnes (and to no one else that ever I have seen), is so restored, I have observed today, that I have begun to hope you are happier at home?'
? ? ? ? 'I am happier in myself,' she said; 'I am quite cheerful and light-hearted.'
? ? ? ? I glanced at the serene face looking upward, and thought it was the stars that made it seem so noble.
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