After reading, as was my custom, a chapter in my
Bible, and commending myself to the care of Heaven, I sought my pillow;
but hour after hour passed away and sleep refused to visit my eyes.
Again and again I mentally asked myself what had I done to merit the
coldness which Mrs. Leighton had shown in her manner to me? It was not
my fault that Willie had sought me, and in a kind and gentlemanly manner
escorted me home; and I only attributed his attention to that respect
which the _real_ gentleman ever accords to a lady, be she rich or poor.
I, however, decided that in future I should receive no attentions from
Willie. The Leightons were kind, but extremely proud, and I feared that
the pleasure Willie had lately evinced in my society had displeased
them, although his attentions had been nothing more than a person
socially inclined might be expected to show to one dwelling beneath the
same roof. Again did the remark made by Mrs. Kingsley occur to my mind,
and I firmly decided that, if Mrs. Leighton was displeased, she should
have no further cause for displeasure, for I too was possessed of a
proud spirit. The dawn of the new day glimmered in the east 'ere sleep
closed my eyes, and then my slumbers were disturbed by unpleasant
dreams.
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