He would not add to her confusion by accepting as
extraordinary the impulsive expression of her feelings. So he simply
said, after a moment of silence,--
"Thank you, Dora. I hope you may never have occasion to regret your
noble confidence."
Dora did not answer, but hastened her steps, until she walked close
behind Mrs. Legrange; nor did her companion speak again, although,
could Dora have read his thoughts, she might have found in them
matter of more interest than any words he had ever spoken to her.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
WHAT DORA SAID.
IT had been Dora's intention to return to Iowa immediately after
leaving Sunshine in charge of her own friends; but Mrs. Legrange
insisted so urgently upon her remaining with them for some weeks at
least, and the parting with the dear child she had so loved and
cherished seemed so cruel as it drew nearer and nearer, that she
finally consented to remain for a short time, and removed to the
Neff House, where Mrs. Legrange had engaged rooms until the first of
October.
To other natures than those called to encounter it, the relation
between these three might, for a time at least, have been painful
and perplexing; but Mrs. Legrange was possessed of such exquisite
tact, Sunshine of such abounding and at the same time delicate
affections, and Dora of such a noble and generous temper, that they
could not but harmonize: and while 'Toinette bloomed, flower-like,
into new and wonderful beauty bathed in the sunlight of a double
love, Mrs.
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