Page:Neuroomia.djvu/121

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
I ENJOY A PROLONGED HOLIDAY.
109

passed close to me, but I did not see her, as I had no desire to renew our acquaintance.

After one of the dances was over, Louva, who happened to be standing near me, remarked that she had not seen me dancing. Of course I was not sorry for this; however, I replied that I had had one. Hereupon we commenced a conversation, and I proposed that we should have a ramble through the grounds together. Here we found many couples, evidently lovers. The surroundings were extremely beautiful, and I felt romantic. I thought of similar walks long, long ago in another continent—and the young lady, where was she? I knew not,—she jilted me for a bush missionary. However, she must be faded. I looked into Louva's sweet face: she returned the compliment, I thought, in a loving manner, and said,—

"You have changed much in appearance, and I also think in manner, since you left Atazatlan."

"I believe that I have changed in appearance," I answered, "but am aware of no perceptible change in manner."

"I have thought more than once since we met on the wharf that I must have displeased you in some way," was the reply.

"No, you have not displeased me," I answered;