It was Providence which sent her there, he thought; Providence indicating that he might speak, and he would.
"I am glad you have come.

I wish to talk with you," he said, drawing her down into a chair beside him, and placing his arm lightly across its back.

"What sent you here, Alice?
I supposed you had retired," he continued, bending upon her a look which made her slightly uncomfortable.
But she soon recovered, and answered laughingly: "I, too, supposed you had retired.

I came for my scissors, and finding you here alone, thought I would startle you, but you have not told me yet of what you were thinking." "Of the present, past and future," he replied; then, letting his hand drop from the back of the chair upon her shoulder, he continued: "May I talk freely with you?
May I tell you of myself, what I was, what I am, what I hope to be ?" Her cheeks burned dreadfully, and her voice was not quite steady, as, rising from her seat, she said: "I like a stool better than this chair.

I'll bring it and sit at your feet.