Suddenly the tears sprang to her eyes, and she turned away hastily; and Mrs.
Bleecker's arm went 'round her waist.
They walked into the house together, and I, still dazed and mazed with the enchanted revelation of her new loveliness, wandered about among the charred stumps, my thoughts a heavenly chaos, as though a million angels were singing in my ears.

I could even have seen them, save for a wondrous rosy mist that rolled around them.
How long I wandered I do not know, but presently the door opened, and Lois beckoned me, and I went in to find Mrs.Bleecker down on her knees on the puncheon floor, among the mass of pretty finery overflowing from the box.
"Did Mr.Hake's selection please you ?" I asked, "Oh, Euan, how can I make you understand! Everything is too beautiful to be real, and I am certain that a dreadful Cinderella awakening is in store for me." "Yes--but she wore the slipper in the end." Lois gave me a shy, sweet look, then, suddenly animated, turned eagerly once more to discuss her wardrobe with her new friend.
"Your Mr.Hake has excellent taste, Euan," observed Mrs.Bleecker.
"Or," she added laughingly, "perhaps your late prayer helped." And to Lois she said mischievously: "You know, my dear, that Mr.Loskiel was accustomed to petition God very earnestly that your wardrobe should please you." Lois looked at me, the smile curving her lips into a happy tenderness.
"He is so wonderful," she said, with no embarrassment.

And I saw Mrs.
Bleecker look up at her, then smilingly at me, with the slightest possible nod of approbation.
For two hours and more that pair of women remained happy among the ribbons and laces; and every separate article Lois brought to me naively, for me to share her pleasure.

And once or twice I saw Mrs.
Bleecker watching us intently; and when discovered she only laughed, but with such sweetness and good will that it left me happy and reassured.
"We have arranged that Miss de Contrecoeur is to share my room with me at Croghan's," said Mrs.Bleecker.

"And, Euan, I think you should send a wagon for her box at once.