It was then as ingenuous and tender and trustful a face as if she had been but eight instead of eighteen.
Stephen forgot himself, forgot the fact that Mercy was comparatively a stranger, forgot every thing, except the one intense consciousness of this sweet woman-face looking up into his.

Bending towards her, he said suddenly,-- "Mrs.Philbrick, your face is the very loveliest face I have ever seen in my life.

Do not be angry with me.

Oh, do not!" he continued, seeing the color deepen in Mercy's cheeks, and a stern expression gathering in her eyes, as she looked steadily at him with unutterable surprise.

"Do not be angry with me.