I saw she was gratified by my appearance; that she was not ashamed of her protegee.

Yet as we came nearer, I observed an expression of the most tender anxiety, approaching to sadness, come over her brow.
How proud she was of her son! She looked upon him with a glance that would have been idolatry, had not God said, "Thou shalt not make unto thyself idols, for I am a jealous God." She took my hand, and I saw her eye follow the soft tracery of pearl-flowers that enwreathed neck, arms, and brow.

She knew who had thus adorned me, and her approving smile sanctioned the gifts.
"I rejoice to see you look so well, my dear child," she said, "I feared you might lose the enjoyment of the evening; but I see no one who has a brighter prospect before them now." She introduced me to the friends who surrounded her, and wished to give me a seat near her; but Ernest resisted the movement, and with a smiling bow passed on.
"I am not disposed to release you quite so soon," said he, passing out into the piazza.

"I see very plainly that if I relinquish my position it will not be easy to secure it again.

I am delighted.