She said to herself she was glad of it, yet it pained her to her heart’s core. Had he no eyes for any one but Miss Carrie Lea? Surely if his heart were loyal as of yore to his first love, he would have felt her presence near. It had seemed ever so in those earlier days. He sat where she could see his side face, and many a furtive glance fed her hunger for the old love, a consuming fire that pride--her woman’s pride--vainly strove to trample out. Ah, it was the only earthly love left her, and it had been so sweet! CHAPTER XIX. A GREAT SURPRISE. “Thinkest thou That I could live and let thee go, Who art my life itself? No, no!”--MOORE. The moment the benediction was pronounced Floy left the church and walked rapidly away, turning the first corner she came to, nor paused nor slackened her pace till she reached Mrs. Sharp’s door. “Had you a good sermon?” queried Hetty at the dinner-table. “Yes,” Floy answered absently. “It does not seem to have refreshed you much,” sneered Mr. Sharp, with a keen glance at the pale, sorrowful face whereon the traces of tears were very evident. “I would prescribe a nap instead, next Sunday.” “Don’t tease her, Thorne,” said Mrs. Goodenough, “she’s been trying to do her duty like a Christian. What is it Shakespeare says?” “Madam, let me counsel you to purchase a copy of the works of that immortal bard, and study it for your own edification, for ours, and for that of the world at large,” he returned loftily and with a contemptuous wave of the hand, as he passed his cup to be refilled. Hetty flushed indignantly. “It might be for your edification, no doubt,” she retorted; “this passage for one--‘Conceit in weakest bodies strongest works.’” “Hush, hush, child! that’s too strong,” said her mother, taking the cup. “But unasked advice isn’t apt to be welcome, Thorne; what is it Shakespeare says?” and the tea-pot she had just lifted was set down again while she seemed lost in contemplation. “Ah! I have it: “‘I pray thee cease thy counsel, Which falls into mine ears as profitless As water in a sieve.’” Mr. Sharp rose, and, pushing his plate angrily away, strode from the room. Mrs. Sharp looked annoyed, but made no remark, contenting herself with a reproachful glance at her sister and niece. Hetty accepted her share with extreme nonchalance. As for the other delinquent, she was too much elated by her successful quotation to heed so trifling a matter as the passing displeasure of her sister--a displeasure, too, which, as she shrewdly suspected, was more than half assumed for the mere sake of appearance. That was the fact, and yet there was a real vexation to Mrs. Sharp in what had occurred, because she would have to bear the brunt of his ill-humor. With that unpleasant conviction weighing upon her, she breathed a heavy sigh as she, too, left the table and the room.