Little Women - 912 Freedom Library

Little WomenHis first wooing had been of the tempestuous order, andhe looked back upon ;it as if through a long vista of yearswith a feeling of compassion blended with regret. He wasnot ashamed of it, but put it away as one of the bittersweetexperiences of his life, for which he could begrateful when the pain was over. His second wooing, heresolved, should be as calm and simple as possible. Therewas no need of having a scene, hardly any need of tellingAmy that he loved her, she knew it without words andhad given him his answer long ago. It all came about sonaturally that no one could complain, and he knew thateverybody would be pleased, even Jo. But when our firstlittle passion has been crushed, we are apt to be wary andslow in making a second trial, so Laurie let the days pass,enjoying every hour, and leaving to chance the utteranceof the word that would put an end to the first and sweetestpart of his new romance.He had rather imagined that the denoument wouldtake place in the chateau garden by moonlight, and in themost graceful and decorus manner, but it turned outexactly the reverse, for the matter was settled on the lakeat noonday in a few blunt words. They had been floatingabout all the morning, from gloomy St. Gingolf to sunnyMontreux, with the Alps of Savoy on one side, Mont St.755 of 861