Page:Authors daughter v1.djvu/167

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
JESSIE LINDSAY'S DECLARATION.
163

ness of the fact. If such a woman as Jessie Lindsay, with her intuitive sense of right, her sound judgment, and her affectionate heart, could be brought to love an unsettled somewhat impressible man like him, the whole course of his life would be changed. He would infallibly rise in the world if he submitted to the affectionate influence she was capable of exerting. But such men as George Copeland do not readily attach themselves to such women, and but for her surprising frankness he would have left Branxholm on the morrow with no other memory of Jessie Lindsay than that she was a good active girl who was somewhat reserved in her manner. He might have told the wife whom at a future period he might have married, and who would be a very different person, that he wished she had a lesson from Jessie Lindsay in managing house, or a dairy, or a poultry-yard, or her quiet effective activity when there was any emergency, or her steady even temper. These things were all good in their way, but they were not charming. However, now when George knew that this large reserved nature had given all her heart to him and believed him to be worthy of it, things were changed. It was not pity that he felt for her. After the first few embarrassed words had been said and her mistake as to his feelings discovered, Jessie Lindsay