I had not beheld her since the morning we parted at the door of that little cottage in Vermont, and her presence caused me a shock.

This, the humble waif with the appealing grateful eyes I had expected to encounter?
this tall and slender creature with an aureola of golden hair about a face that it was an education to behold! I felt a half movement of anger as I surveyed her.

I had been cheated; I had planted a grape seed and a palm tree had sprung up in its place.

I was so taken aback, my salute lost something of the benevolent condescension I had intended to infuse into it.

She seemed to feel my embarassment and a half smile fluttered to her lips.