For an instant their eyes met, and in the expression of his, she read an approval warmer than words could have expressed.
That night Mary sat alone in her room, listening almost nervously to the sound of every footstep, and half starting up if it came near her door.

But for certain reasons Mr.Stuart did not think proper to call, and while Mary was confidently expecting him, he was several miles on his way home.
In a day or two Mary returned to Chicopee, but did not, like Ella, lay her books aside and consider her education finished.

Two or three hours each morning were devoted to study, or reading of some kind.

For several weeks nothing was allowed to interfere with this arrangement, but at the end of that time, the quiet of Mrs.Mason's house was disturbed by the unexpected arrival of Aunt Martha and Ida, who came up to Chicopee for the purpose of inducing Mrs.Mason and Mary to spend the coming winter in Boston.

At first Mrs.Mason hesitated, but every objection which either she or Mary raised was so easily put aside, that she finally consented, saying she would be ready to go about the middle of November.