During her absence the talk passed into Caroline's hands.
She took it up with ease; she fell into her best tone of conversation. A
pleasing facility and elegance of language gave fresh charm to familiar
topics; a new music in the always soft voice gently surprised and
pleasingly captivated the listener; unwonted shades and lights of
expression elevated the young countenance with character, and kindled it
with animation.

"Caroline, you look as if you had heard good tidings," said Moore, after
earnestly gazing at her for some minutes.

"Do I?"

"I sent for you this evening that I might be cheered; but you cheer me
more than I had calculated."

"I am glad of that. And I _really_ cheer you?"

"You look brightly, move buoyantly, speak musically."

"It is pleasant to be here again."

"Truly it is pleasant; I feel it so. And to see health on your cheek and
hope in your eye is pleasant, Cary; but what is this hope, and what is
the source of this sunshine I perceive about you?"

"For one thing, I am happy in mamma. I love her so much, and she loves
me. Long and tenderly she nursed me. Now, when her care has made me
well, I can occupy myself for and with her all the day. I say it is my
turn to attend to her; and I _do_ attend to her. I am her waiting-woman
as well as her child. I like--you would laugh if you knew what pleasure
I have in making dresses and sewing for her. She looks so nice now,
Robert; I will not let her be old-fashioned. And then, she is charming
to talk to--full of wisdom, ripe in judgment, rich in information,
exhaustless in stores her observant faculties have quietly amassed.
Every day that I live with her I like her better, I esteem her more
highly, I love her more tenderly."

"_That_ for one thing, then, Cary. You talk in such a way about 'mamma'
it is enough to make one jealous of the old lady."

"She is not old, Robert."

"Of the young lady, then."

"She does not pretend to be young."

"Well, of the matron. But you said 'mamma's' affection was _one_ thing
that made you happy; now for the other thing."

"I am glad you are better."

"What besides?"

"I am glad we are friends."

"You and I?"

"Yes. I once thought we never should be."

"Cary, some day I mean to tell you a thing about myself that is not to
my credit, and consequently will not please you."

"Ah, don't! I cannot bear to think ill of you."

"And I cannot bear that you should think better of me than I deserve."

"Wel