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To the first glance she seemed as unlike Hesper as she could well be; but, as she stood gently regarding the two, Mary, gradually, and to her astonishment, became indubitably aware of a singular likeness between them.
To dress was a far more difficult, though not more important, affair with Sepia than with Hesper, for she had nothing of her own, and from, her cousin no fixed allowance.
"I should like to see it on first," said Mary: she was in doubt whether the color bright, to suggest the brightest of sunset- clouds would suit Hesper's complexion. Then, again, she had always associated the name Hesper with a later, a solemnly lovely period of twilight, having little in common with the color so voluminous in the background.
"I am rather cold, and should like some tea," said Mary. "My poor girl! have you had no tea?" said Hesper, with some concern, and more annoyance. "You are looking quite pale, I see! When did you have anything to eat?" "I had a good dinner at one o'clock," replied Mary, with a rather weary smile. "This is dreadful!" said Hesper. "What can the servants be about!"
Yet, perhaps, but for the opinions of those about her, Hesper would have been worse than she was.
Between the ordinarily benevolent woman and Mary Marston, there was about as great a difference as between the fashionable church-goer and Catherine of Siena. She would be Hesper's servant that she might gain Hesper. I would not have her therefore wondered at as a marvel of humility.
Hesper, in response all but unconscious, would be waited on by no other than Mary; and always between them passed some sweet, gentle nothings, which afforded Hesper more pleasure than she could have accounted for. Her wedding-day was now for the third time fixed, when one morning she entered the shop to make some purchases.
The chief attraction to her, however, was simply Hesper herself. She had fallen in love with her I hardly know how otherwise to describe the current with which her being set toward her. Few hearts are capable of loving as she loved.
"I have to protect myself and the world in general from the consequences that must follow were such lawless behavior allowed to pass." Hesper spoke with calm severity, and Mary, making up her mind, answered now with almost equal calmness. "The law was made for both sides, ma'am; and, as you bring the law to me, I will take refuge in the law.
Behold, she was wise enough to educate a barbarous nation, beautiful enough to bewitch potentates for a time strong enough to take a city; yet Hesper, who best of all could appreciate the value of these things, had turned from her to Laodice, who was merely chaste.
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