Too much overcome with sheer joy to speak, Miss Worth listened to Belle-Ann's earnest declarations and watched her smiling, confident, beautiful features with a sense of having, just here, achieved one of the greatest conquests of her missionary life.
Belle-Ann walked to the window, a new exquisite incarnation of girlhood. With a thankful, gracious heart, ready and primed for the wonders of which she now had a divine intuition, she gazed across to the mountain summits, touched with the iridescent vapors, figured by the rising sun. She watched the veil-like mist gradually rise over the river where it lingered like a film of bluish wood smoke. She listened to the clamorous carols of the birds, and there was a song in her heart and inwardly she was stirred with all the inspirations that accompany the placidity of a spirit untroubled and immaculate. The chapel chimes suddenly pealed out their morning anthems, and its music tinkled sweetly across the senses of the girl whose soul was throbbing in perfect attune.
From the sublimity of her momentary reverie, Miss Worth's gentle voice aroused Belle-Ann.
"Belle-Ann," she said, "would a bit of news before breakfast be distasteful?"
The girl cast a quick, expectant look toward Miss Worth, whose face was symbolical of still another revelation.
"I can bear anything," answered Belle-Ann. "I can now appreciate more than ever any glad news--life can hold no sorrow now that I cannot endure bravely--don't hesitate to tell me--I am unafraid."
"Well--it is not by any means fearful news, my dear; on the contrary, it's the most delightful surprise imaginable--the only thing I fear is that you will not forgive us for what will doubtless present itself to your mind as a rank conspiracy."
Belle-Ann laughed and squeezed the hand that crept into hers.
"When you are concerned, you are forgiven anything in advance--you-all couldn't commit anything, Miss Worth, that I could hold against you a second," she assured, laughingly.
The older woman fell pensive for a moment.
"Belle-Ann--I have known this for a long time--Colonel Tennytown asked me to acquaint you with this when I thought fit--I think the proper time is now at hand--Colonel Tennytown was your mother's father, Belle-Ann."