" Miss
Vandaleur hailed a passing hansom and jumped in, followed by Eily,
white, shivering, and limp. "Now tell me all," she said, as they were
driven at a rapid pace through the streets. Eily, won by her gentleness,
told her the pitiful story of her love; told her of her simple mountain
home, of the handsome stranger who had promised to return and carry her
to a land where she would be fairest of the fair; told it with dry eyes
and white set lips, while her heart was breaking and her temples beat,
beat, beat, like sledge-hammers beneath the weight of the fringe with
which she had thought to please him.
Miss Vandaleur heard all, and made no sign, save that her lips tightened
now and then, and an expression of pain stole into her soft grey eyes.
It was a pathetic story, and the rich girl was touched as she listened
to the poor simple one at her side. "Where do you live, Eily?" she
asked, as the girl stopped speaking, and lay back with closed eyes.
"At me aunt's, your honour, but I won't go back! shure, I cannot! Oh, me
lady, let me go; it's not for the likes of me to be keeping your
ladyship away from her grand friends. God's blessing upon ye for your
kindness to a poor girl!"
Bee was silent, wondering what she could do with the unhappy creature
beside her; presently a bright thought struck her.
"I am looking out for a girl who will attend on me, Eily; do you think
you would like the place if you are taught?"
[Sidenote: "An Angel from Heaven!"]
"Arrah, me lady, me lady! it's an angel from heaven ye are!" cried Eily
gratefully, but her head sank back again, till the gaudy pink feather in
her hat was spoilt for ever.
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