That they were sad and solemn as
usual--perhaps humbling--may be gathered from the fact that a big
tear might have been seen, long gathering in her eye;--the next
moment she brushed off the intruder with an impatience of gesture,
that plainly showed how much her proud spirit resented any such
intrusion. The tear dispersed the images which had filled her
contemplative mood, and rising from her sylvan seat, she prepared
to move forward, when a voice calling at some little distance,
drew her attention. Giving a hasty glance in the direction of the
sound, she beheld a young man making his way through the woods, and
approaching her with rapid footsteps. His evident desire to reach
her, did not, however, prompt her to any pause in her own progress;
but, as if satisfied with the single glance which she gave him, and
indifferent utterly to his object, she continued on her way, nor
stopped for an instant, nor again looked back, until his salutation,
immediately behind her, compelled her attention and answer.
"Margaret--Miss Cooper!" said the speaker, who was a young rustic,
probably twenty or twenty-one years of age, of tall, good person,
a handsome face, which was smooth, though of dark complexion, and
lightened by an eye of more than ordinary size and intelligence.
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