Chapter 16

For a week nothing material transpired. All that time I lay in the drawer,
gaining a knowledge of what passed, in the best manner I could. Betts
Shoreham was a constant visitor at the house, and Tom Thurston made
his appearance with a degree of punctuality that began to attract notice,
among the inmates of the house on the opposite side of the street. All
this time, however, Tom treated Julia with the greatest respect, and
even distance, turning more of his attention toward Mrs. Monson. He
acted in this manner, because he thought he had secured a sufficient lien
on the young lady, by means of her "yes," and knew how important it
was for one who could show none of the usual inducements for consent,
to the parents, to obtain the good-will of the "old lady."

At the end of the week, Mrs. Monson opened her house to receive the
world. As a matter of course, I was brought out on this occasion. Now,
Betts Shoreham and Mademoiselle Hennequin had made great progress
toward an understanding in the course of this week, though the lady
becoming more and more conscious of the interest she had created in
the heart of the gentleman, her own conduct got to be cautious and
reserved. At length, Betts actually carried matters so far as to write a
letter, that was as much to the point as a man could very well come. In
a word, he offered his hand to the excellent young French woman,
assuring her, in very passionate and suitable terms, that she had been
mistress of his affections ever since the first month of their acquaintance.
In this letter, he implored her not to be so cruel as to deny him an
interview, and there were a few exceedingly pretty reproaches, touching
her recent coy and reserved deportment.

Mademoiselle Hennequin was obliged to read this letter in Julia's room,
and she took such a position to do it, as exposed every line to my
impertinent gaze, as I lay on the bed, among the other finery that was
got out for the evening. Mrs. Monson was present, and she had
summoned the governess, in order to consult her on the subject of some
of the ornaments of the supper table. Fortunately, both Julia and her
mother were too much engaged to perceive the tears that rolled down
the cheeks of the poor stranger, as she read the honest declaration of a
fervid and manly love, nor did either detect the manner in which the
letter was pressed to Mademoiselle Hennequin's heart, when she had
done reading it the second time.

Just at this instant a servant came to announce Mr. Shoreham's
presence in the "breakfast-room." This was a retired and little
frequented part of the house at that hour, Betts having been shown into
it, in consequence of the preparations that were going on in the proper