I now concluded, somewhat too hastily, as it afterwards proved,
from seeing Philip abroad, that the sitting was at an end, and
accordingly went for my book. I entered noiselessly, I suppose--I am
usually quiet in my movements--by a door directly opposite to the seat
which Mr. Arlington had arranged for himself, and behind the sofa on
which, at his desire, Annie had been seated when I left her. There still
was Mr. Arlington's seat, and before it a table with the drawing
materials and unfinished sketch, but Mr. Arlington was on the sofa
beside Annie. He was speaking, but in tones so low, that even had I
wished it, I could not have heard him; but the few seconds for which
surprise kept me chained to the spot, were sufficient to suggest the
subject of those murmured words. The reader will probably conjecture
that subject without aid from me, when I tell him what I saw. Of Annie,
as she sat with her back to me, I could only see the drooping head and
one crimson ear and cheek; Mr. Arlington's face was turned to her, and
was glowing with joy, and as it seemed to me with triumph. Before I had
turned away, he raised her hand to his lips.
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