The sun was pouring in at my lattice when I awoke next morning to
a general soreness of body that at first puzzled me to account
for. But as I lay in that delicious state between sleeping and
waking, I became aware of a faint, sweet perfume; and, turning my
head, espied a handkerchief upon the pillow beside me. And
immediately I came to my elbow, with my eyes directed to the
door, for now indeed I remembered all, and beyond that door,
sleeping or waking, lay a woman.
In the early morning things are apt to lose something of the
glamour that was theirs over night; thus I remained propped upon
my elbow, gazing apprehensively at the door, and with my ears on
the stretch, hearkening for any movement from the room beyond
that should tell me she was up. But I heard only the early
chorus of the birds and the gurgle of the brook, swollen with
last night's rain. In a while I rose and began to dress somewhat
awkwardly, on account of my thumb, yet with rather more than my
usual care, stopping occasionally to hear if she was yet astir.
Being at last fully dressed, I sat down to wait until I should
hear her footstep. But I listened vainly, for minute after
minute elapsed until, rising at length, I knocked softly. And
having knocked thrice, each time louder than before, without
effect, I lifted the latch and opened the door.
My first glance showed me that the bed had never even been slept
in, and that save for myself the place was empty. And yet the
breakfast-table had been neatly set, though with but one cup and
saucer.
Now, beside this cup and saucer was one of my few books, and
picking it up, I saw that it was my Virgil. Upon the fly-leaf,
at which it was open, I had, years ago, scrawled my name thus: PETER VIBART But lo! close under this, written in a fine Italian hand, were
the following words: "To Peter Smith, Esq. [the "Smith" underlined]
Blacksmith. Charmian Brown ["Brown" likewise
underlined] desires to thank Mr. Smith, yet
because thanks are so poor and small, and his
service so great, needs must she remember him
as a gentleman, yet oftener as a blacksmith,
and most of all, as a man. Charmian Brown
begs him to accept this little trinket in
memory of her; it is all she has to offer him.
He may also keep her handkerchief."
Upon the table, on the very spot where the book had lain, was a
gold heart-shaped locket, very quaint and old-fashioned, upon one
side of which was engraved the following posy: "Hee who myne heart would keepe for long
Shall be a gentil man and strong."