Chapter 13
As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the
night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to
which they were all so devoted, was present with them. After listening
for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid
disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down
by myself. Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came
to me.
"Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said. "And why do you
look so sad?"
"Do you need to ask, Yoletta? Ah, it would have made me so happy if I
could have won your mother's affection! If she only knew how much I wish
for it, and how much I sympathize with her! But she will never like me,
and all I wished to say to her must be left unsaid."
"No, not so," she said. "Come with me to her now: if you feel like that,
she will be kind to you--how should it be otherwise?"
I greatly feared that she advised me to take an imprudent step; but she
was my guide, my teacher and friend in the house, and I resolved to do
as she wished.
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