Poor old fellow ! I 've been through it all , and I can sympathize . '' With that he heaved a great sigh , and then , as if he had discharged his duty to the past , put his feet up on the sofa and enjoyed Amy 's letter luxuriously . While these changes were going on abroad , trouble had come at home . But the letter telling that Beth was failing never reached Amy , and when the next found her at Vevay , for the heat had driven them from Nice in May , and they had travelled slowly to Switzerland , by way of Genoa and the Italian lakes . She bore it very well , and quietly submitted to the family decree that she should not shorten her visit , for since it was too late to say goodbye to Beth , she had better stay , and let absence soften her sorrow . But her heart was very heavy , she longed to be at home , and every day looked wistfully across the lake , waiting for Laurie to come and comfort her . He did come very soon , for the same mail brought letters to them both , but he was in Germany , and it took some days to reach him . The moment he read it , he packed his knapsack , bade adieu to his fellow pedestrians , and was off to keep his promise , with a heart full of joy and sorrow , hope and suspense . He knew Vevay well , and as soon as the boat touched the little quay , he hurried along the shore to La Tour , where the Carrols were living en pension . The garcon was in despair that the whole family had gone to take a promenade on the lake , but no , the blonde mademoiselle might be in the chateau garden . If monsieur would give himself the pain of sitting down , a flash of time should present her . But monsieur could not wait even a ` flash of time ' , and in the middle of the speech departed to find mademoiselle himself . A pleasant old garden on the borders of the lovely lake , with chestnuts rustling overhead , ivy climbing everywhere , and the black shadow of the tower falling far across the sunny water . At one corner of the wide , low wall was a seat , and here Amy often came to read or work , or console herself with the beauty all about her . She was sitting here that day , leaning her head on her hand , with a homesick heart and heavy eyes , thinking of Beth and wondering why Laurie did not come . She did not hear him cross the courtyard beyond , nor see him pause in the archway that led from the subterranean path into the garden . He stood a minute looking at her with new eyes , seeing what no one had ever seen before , the tender side of Amy 's character . Everything about her mutely suggested love and sorrow , the blotted letters in her lap , the black ribbon that tied up her hair , the womanly pain and patience in her face , even the little ebony cross at her throat seemed pathetic to Laurie , for he had given it to her , and she wore it as her only ornament . If he had any doubts about the reception she would give him , they were set at rest the minute she looked up and saw him , for dropping everything , she ran to him , exclaiming in a tone of unmistakable love and longing ... `` Oh , Laurie , Laurie , I knew you 'd come to me ! ''
I think everything was said and settled then , for as they stood together quite silent for a moment , with the dark head bent down protectingly over the light one , Amy felt that no one could comfort and sustain her so well as XXXXX , and Laurie decided that Amy was the only woman in the world who could fill Jo 's place and make him happy .
Amy Laurie Switzerland Tour Vevay console day days garcon quay