Hesper was human after all, though her humanity was only molluscous as yet, and it is not in the power of humanity in any stage of development to hold itself indifferent to the pleasure of being loved.

Also, poor as is the feeling comparatively, it is yet a reflex of love itself--the shine of the sun in a rain-pool.
She walked up to Mary, holding out her hand.
"O ma'am, I am so glad to see you!" exclaimed Mary, forgetting her manners in her love.
"I, too, am glad," drawled Hesper, genuinely, though with condescension.

"I hope you are well.

I can not say you look so." "I am pretty well, thank you, ma'am," answered Mary, flushing afresh: not much anxiety was anywhere expressed about her health now, except by Beenie, who mourned over the loss of her plumpness, and told her if she did not eat she would soon follow her poor father.
"Come and have a drive with me," said Hesper, moved by a sudden impulse: through some hidden motion of sympathy, she felt, as she looked at her, that the place was stuffy.

"It will do you good," she went on.