The coat had been mended by Annie!

I descended to the drawing-room, and finding her alone, thanked her with
simplicity and sincerity. She blushed and pouted.

"Who told you?" she asked.

"No one; but I discovered it from Sarah; she was unguarded."

"Well, sir," said Annie, blushing still, but laughing, "there is no reason
for your being so grateful, I thought I would mend it, as I formerly
laughed at it--and I hope it is neatly done."

"It is scarcely visible," I said, with a smile and a bow; "I shall keep
this coat always to remind me of your delicate kindness."

"Pshaw! 'twas nothing."

And running to the piano, the young girl commenced a merry song, which
rang through the old hall like the carol of a bird. Her voice was so
inexpressibly sweet that it made my pulses throb and my heart ache. I
did not know the expression of my countenance, as I looked at her, until
turning toward me, I saw her suddenly color to the roots of her hair.

I felt, all at once, that I had fixed upon her one of those looks which
say as plainly as words could utter: "I love you with all the powers of my
nature, all the faculties of my being--you are dearer to me than the whole
wide world beside!"