It would only make me unhappy to read it . '' `` I am not vexed , '' said Eric , `` and I think you will take it some day yet -- after I have shown you something I want you to see . Never mind about your looks , Kilmeny . Beauty is n't everything . '' `` Oh , it is a great deal , '' she wrote naively . `` But you do like me , even though I am so ugly , do n't you ? You like me because of my beautiful music , do n't you ? '' `` I like you very much , Kilmeny , '' answered Eric , laughing a little ; but there was in his voice a tender note of which he was unconscious . Kilmeny was aware of it , however , and she picked up her violin with a pleased smile . He left her playing there , and all the way through the dim resinous spruce wood her music followed him like an invisible guardian spirit . `` Kilmeny the Beautiful ! '' he murmured , `` and yet , good heavens , the child thinks she is ugly -- she with a face more lovely than ever an artist dreamed of ! A girl of eighteen who has never looked in a mirror ! I wonder if there is another such in any civilized country in the world . What could have possessed her mother to tell her such a falsehood ? I wonder if Margaret Gordon could have been quite sane . It is strange that Neil has never told her the truth . Perhaps he does n't want her to find out . '' Eric had met Neil Gordon a few evenings before this , at a country dance where Neil had played the violin for the dancers . Influenced by curiosity he had sought the lad 's acquaintance .
Neil was friendly and talkative at first ; but at the first hint concerning the Gordons which XXXXX threw out skilfully his face and manner changed .
Beauty Eric Gordon Kilmeny Neil before day left mirror something