Charlotte entered a few moments after, she found Susan's work had dropped on the floor, and she was leaning her head on the chair and sobbing. This was a strange sight; for, let the clouds be ever so heavy, there was always a glimmering of blue sky where Susan was.
Inquiries and explanations followed. Susan's heart was turned inside out; not a thought, feeling, prostrate hope, or piercing regret, was concealed from Charlotte, who, though in a more subdued manner, was scarcely less grieved than Susan.
When they could talk calmly about it, Susan said, "Come what will, I never shall blame Harry in the least. You know how many times he has said we were just like sisters to him; and it was perfectly natural, when he went to live in New-York, he should like people that had New-York ways."
"But, Susan, it does seem to me strange that Harry should ever fancy Paulina; she has not his ways of thinking, or acting, or feeling."
"Oh, Lottie, Paulina is handsome—they say the best of men are carried away with beauty."
"Not Harry, I am sure; and, besides, I have heard him say—I never told you, because I did not want to flatter you—but I heard him say, when we went to hear Squire Willard's fourth of July oration—the day Paulina wore that new pink satin bonnet—and somebody said Squire Willard never took his eyes from her all the time he was speaking—"
"What did Harry say, Charlotte?"
"Harry whispered to me, and said he liked your looks a thousand times better than Paulina's."
