Page:The Galaxy, Volume 6.djvu/87

1868.] with his evident unhappiness; his disjointed confessions of grief and trial, that, despite the absurdity of the imagination, she could not help believing had some reference to her; finally, her inability to soothe or aid him, made the farewell the saddest she had ever gone through save one.

"You are weary, my dearest girl," said Mrs. Baxter, sympathizingly twining her arm around her and pulling her down upon the sofa, when she had bidden a widely smiling adieu to all her guests with the exception of a mild, bald man in spectacles, who was penned in the angle formed by the chimney and wall, while the doctor, planted in front of him, held to his argument and his handkerchief at such length that only half the knots were yet untied. "But you have been charming this evening! have really outdone yourself! I prognosticate a dazzling season for you—scores of conquests and troops of friends."

"I don't care for the conquests, but the friends will be welcome to one who has so few," returned Jessie. "Not that I have any enemies, but my circle of acquaintances is small," trying to speak brightly, lest her dispirited mood should reflect discredit upon her friend's endeavors to make her happy.

"It will enlarge rapidly within the next few weeks. The stamp of Mr. Wyllys's approval and friendship would ensure the success of a débutante whose personal claims upon popular favor were far inferior to yours, my sweet. I have promised to do my best to fill his place while he is away, but I am painfully conscious of my inadequacy to prevent you from missing him every hour. He was averse to going, I could see plainly, but said the necessity laid upon him to do so was imperative. He was rather out of spirits to-night, I fancied. Doctor, dear, do let Mr. Bernard come to the fire! The rooms are growing chilly, now that they are so nearly empty."

"Empty!" The doctor turned amazed. "Where are all the people, Jane?"

Jessie did smile now, impolite as she feared it was, at the alacrity with which the mild victim wriggled from the corner at the momentary diversion of his jailor's notice, muttered apologetically to the hostess, and got himself out of the apartment and house.

"As I was saying," pursued the doctor, consulting his handkerchief and collecting his wits, "my objection to Darwin's theory and to the hypothesis advanced by Agassiz is one and the same. I maintain—"

"Dearest husband!" interposed his wife. "Since Mr. Bernard has followed the rest of our friends, suppose we postpone the further discussion of that point until to-morrow. Jessie and I are quite exhausted by the excitement of the evening."

Jessie was sorry for him as he began, with a rueful visage, to disentangle his cambric and brains.

"I hope you have had a pleasant evening," she said, affectionately, going up to bid him "good-night."

His eyes cleared at sound of the frank, sweet voice, and the sight of her face. He laid a hand on either shoulder, and gazed steadfastly at her, his hard Scotch lineaments softening into kindliness and paternal regard.

"You are very handsome, my dear; do you know it?"

Jessie blushed deeply, but her answer was direct and unaffected as had been the question.

"I have been told so, sir!"

"Very handsome, but somewhat wilful!" continuing his physiognomical examination. "Undisciplined, too! A warm heart, but hasty judgment. Loving