Destiny

Not for one moment did Edith waver in her purpose, and lest
Richard should suspect what he could not see, she affected a
gayety in his presence sadly at variance with her real feelings.

Never had her merry laugh rang out so frequently before him--never
had her wit been one half so sparkling, and when he passed his
hands over her flushed cheek, feeling how hot it was, he said to
himself, "The roses are coming back, she cannot be unhappy," and
every line and lineament of the blind man's face glowed with the
new-born joy springing up within his heart, and making the world
around him one grand jubilee.

Victor was quick to note the change in his master, and without the
least suspicion of the truth, he once asked Edith, "What made Mr.
Harrington so young and almost boyish, acting as men were supposed
to act when they were just engaged?"

"Victor," said Edith, after a moment's reflection, "can you keep a
secret?"

"Certainly," he replied. "What is it, pray? Is Mr. Harrington
matrimonially inclined?"

Edith's heart yearned for sympathy--for some one to sustain her--
to keep her from fainting by the wayside, and as she could not
confide in Grace, Victor was her only remaining refuge. He had
been the repositary of all her childish secrets, entering into her
feelings as readily and even more demonstratively than any female
friend could have done. Richard would tell him, of course, as soon
as it was settled, and as she knew now that it was settled, why
not speak first and so save him the trouble. Thus deciding, she
replied to his question, "Yes, Richard is going to be married; but you must not let him
know I told you, till the engagement is made public."