In a little while he was able to listen to a recital of
the entire story from her lips. When she had ended, tears stood in
the old man's eyes.
'I have treated that young man with cruel injustice. If he wanted to
wed you now, my love, it would give me great joy to say "yes," and
bestow my blessing.'
'He has asked me, papa;' and she hid her head to cover her blushes.
'He now wants only your consent. He is in the house.'
'Send him to me, dear, at once.'
In about a quarter of an hour, Roland returned from the room,
radiant with happiness and leading Aster by the hand.
They were sitting before the cheerful winter-fire, when he asked her,
'What has become of Mr. Ham?'
'O! a fearful vulgar girl named Lydia Estabrooks, a Yankee lass, is
about to become his bride. She covers herself with chains and
ribbons, and her fingers blaze with stones. He has given it out in an
underhand way that he has thrown me over.'
'What?'
'O! pray, love, do not look fierce like that. Nobody but Lydia
believes him. Now that _you_ are back again, I am sure that he
will retract.'
'He shall be notified to do so.
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