The correspondence flourished famously , and letters flew to and fro with unfailing regularity all through the early spring . Laurie sold his busts , made allumettes of his opera , and went back to Paris , hoping somebody would arrive before long . He wanted desperately to go to Nice , but would not till he was asked , and Amy would not ask him , for just then she was having little experiences of her own , which made her rather wish to avoid the quizzical eyes of ` our boy ' . Fred Vaughn had returned , and put the question to which she had once decided to answer , `` Yes , thank you , '' but now she said , `` No , thank you , '' kindly but steadily , for when the time came , her courage failed her , and she found that something more than money and position was needed to satisfy the new longing that filled her heart so full of tender hopes and fears . The words , `` Fred is a good fellow , but not at all the man I fancied you would ever like , '' and Laurie 's face when he uttered them , kept returning to her as pertinaciously as her own did when she said in look , if not in words , `` I shall marry for money . '' It troubled her to remember that now , she wished she could take it back , it sounded so unwomanly . She did n't want Laurie to think her a heartless , worldly creature . She did n't care to be a queen of society now half so much as she did to be a lovable woman . She was so glad he did n't hate her for the dreadful things she said , but took them so beautifully and was kinder than ever . His letters were such a comfort , for the home letters were very irregular and not half so satisfactory as his when they did come . It was not only a pleasure , but a duty to answer them , for the poor fellow was forlorn , and needed petting , since Jo persisted in being stonyhearted . She ought to have made an effort and tried to love him . It could n't be very hard , many people would be proud and glad to have such a dear boy care for them . But Jo never would act like other girls , so there was nothing to do but be very kind and treat him like a brother . If all brothers were treated as well as Laurie was at this period , they would be a much happier race of beings than they are . Amy never lectured now . She asked his opinion on all subjects , she was interested in everything he did , made charming little presents for him , and sent him two letters a week , full of lively gossip , sisterly confidences , and captivating sketches of the lovely scenes about her . As few brothers are complimented by having their letters carried about in their sister 's pockets , read and reread diligently , cried over when short , kissed when long , and treasured carefully , we will not hint that Amy did any of these fond and foolish things . But she certainly did grow a little pale and pensive that spring , lost much of her relish for society , and went out sketching alone a good deal . She never had much to show when she came home , but was studying nature , I dare say , while she sat for hours , with her hands folded , on the terrace at Valrosa , or absently sketched any fancy that occurred to her , a stalwart knight carved on a tomb , a young man asleep in the grass , with his hat over his eyes , or a curly haired girl in gorgeous array , promenading down a ballroom on the arm of a tall gentleman , both faces being left a blur according to the last fashion in art , which was safe but not altogether satisfactory .
Her aunt thought that she regretted her answer to XXXXX , and finding denials useless and explanations impossible , Amy left her to think what she liked , taking care that Laurie should know that Fred had gone to Egypt .
Fred Laurie Nice Paris Vaughn allumettes fro hours left week