Are you going to stay here long?'
'Yes, we shall pass the winter in Mapleton, and being a stranger
here, I shall often inflict my company on you if you will have me.'
'The oftener the better, dear Louise,' replied Mary, sincerely.
She liked Louise. At the same time, she thought with some trepidation
that these visits from Louise must result in her meeting Tom again,
which she felt very reluctant to do; but pride came to her aid, and
she asked herself why she could not meet a man with indifference, who
could so meet her?
And so she resolved to avoid neither Louise nor him.
Perhaps Louise had a little project of her own. At all events, she
appeared to have much satisfaction when she found Mary did not shrink
from the mention of Tom's name, and accordingly he became her chief
topic of conversation. She even hinted at his unhappiness, and her
fears that his disappointment would be a life-long sorrow.
'Ah! you dear, innocent Louise. Shakespeare knew men better than
you, and he says:
"Men have died from time to time,
And worms have eaten them, but not for love."'
Mary said, with forced gaiety.
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