Barbara stood for some time after the lady's departure, holding the gift
upon the palm of her small and beautifully formed hand, which no rough
labour had hardened or sullied. Her eye brightened as she gazed upon the
rich gift; but, in a moment, her thoughts reverted to those with whom
were the best feelings of her happy and innocent heart.
"Oh, that Robin had but been here!" she said, "to have heard it all. To
think of her who is as great as a princess! What was it? 'faithful and
true,' and, oh! how proud--no, I must not be proud--how grateful I am!
If my father, my father, too, had heard it; but I can show this to
them both. I will not again think of that horrid adder." And with this
resolution she crept softly into the chamber of her still sleeping
lady.