"
The expression of surprise and perplexity in her face, though half
pathetic, seemed so comical that I with difficulty suppressed a laugh,
because for her it was evidently no laughing matter. After giving her
time, as I thought, to recover herself, I said--
"Well, I suppose we may now join them at the morning
meal?"
Something was still wrong, the clue to which I gathered by observing
her shy glance at her head-dress and veil.
"Must you wear those?" I asked--a question which gave her some such
imperfect clue to my thoughts as I had found to hers.
"How foolish of me," she said, smiling, "to forget how little you can
know of our customs! Of course I must wear my veil and sleeves; but
to-day you must put on the veil, as you removed it last night."
The awkwardness with which I performed this duty had its effect in
amusing and cheering her; and the look of happiness and trust had come
back to her countenance before the veil concealed it.
I made my request to Esmo, who answered, with some amusement--
"Every house like ours has from six to a dozen larger or lighter
carriages.
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