Mrs.Woodward had always felt sufficiently confident that Alaric would push himself in the world, and she would have made no objection to him as a son-in-law had he been contented to take the second instead of the first of her flock.
She had never spoken to Linda on the matter, and Linda had offered to her no confidence; but she felt all but sure that her second child would not have entertained the affection which she had been unable altogether to conceal, had no lover's plea been poured into her ears.

Mrs.Woodward questioned her daughters but little, but she understood well the nature of each, and could nearly read their thoughts.

Linda's thoughts it was not difficult to read.
'Linda, pet,' she said, as soon as she could get Linda into her room without absolutely sending for her, 'you have not yet heard Gertrude's news ?' 'No,' said Linda, turning very pale, and feeling that her heart was like to burst.
'I would let no one tell you but myself, Linda.

Come here, dearest; don't stand there away from me.

Can you guess what it is ?' Linda, for a moment, could not speak.