could
willingly have spared the hints in Mr. Stoutenburgh's last speech--and
indeed in several others. She by no means understood them thoroughly;
yet something of the drift and air of them she did feel, and felt as
unnecessary. There had been already in Faith's mind a doubtful look
towards the last evening she had spent in Pattaquasset; a certain
undefined consciousness that her action that night might have said or
seemed to say--she knew not what. She could find no fault with it, to
herself; there had been nothing that she could help; but yet this
consciousness made her more tender upon anything that touched the
subject. She had thought of it, and put it out of her head, several
times in these last weeks; and now Mr. Stoutenburgh's words had just
the effect to make her shy. Faith's mind however had been full of grave
and sweet things of late, and was in such a state now. The principal
feeling, which the Squire's words could not change, was of very deep
and joyous happiness; she was exceeding glad to go home; but at the
same time in a mood too quiet and sober for the wine of joy to get into
her head.

Squire Stoutenburgh too seemed satisfied,--perhaps with the uncold hue
of Faith's cheeks; and now drove on at a rapid rate, talking only of
indifferent matters. The horses trotted quick over the smooth snow, and
the gathering lead colour overhead was touched with gleams of light
here and there, as the sun went down behind the Pattaquasset outlines.
Swiftly they jingled along, crossing the ferry and mounting the hill;
past trees and barns and village houses--then into the main street:
down which the horses flew with a will, thinking of oats and their good
stable, and unwillingly reined in at Mrs. Derrick's door.

It was dark by that time--Faith could see little but the lights
glimmering in the windows, and indeed had no time to see much; so
suddenly and softly was she lifted out of the sleigh the moment it
stopped. Then Mr. Linden's voice said,

"Thank you, Mr. Stoutenburgh!"

"That's one way of thanking me!" said the Squire. "However--I suppose
it's all right,"--and gave his impatient horses their way.

"Why Mr. Linden," said Faith half laughing, but with a little of the
old timidity in her voice,--"how could you see me before I saw you?"

"For various reasons, Miss Faith. How do you do?" He led her on, into
the house and into the tea-room, there to delight her mother's heart
and make her mother's eyes overflow.