But when, in an evil moment, I asked to be
allowed to kiss one of them, she could keep herself no longer to
herself. Clambering down from the chair on which she sat perched to
show me, Cornelia-like, her jewels, she ran straight out of the room
and into the bar - it was just across the passage, - and I could hear
her telling her mother in loud tones, but apparently more in sorrow
than in merriment, that THE GENTLEMAN IN THE PARLOUR WANTED TO KISS
DOLLY. I fancy she was determined to save me from this humiliating
action, even in spite of myself, for she never gave me the desired
permission. She reminded me of an old dog I once knew, who would
never suffer the master of the house to dance, out of an exaggerated
sense of the dignity of that master's place and carriage.
After the young people were gone there was but one more incident ere
I went to bed. I heard a party of children go up and down the dark
street for a while, singing together sweetly. And the mystery of
this little incident was so pleasant to me that I purposely refrained
from asking who they were, and wherefore they went singing at so late
an hour.
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