When they left , Mr. Marshall said , `` I like those people . If Thomas Gordon had been a man like Robert Williamson I should n't have waited to see your Kilmeny . But they are all right -- rugged and grim , but of good stock and pith -- native refinement and strong character . But I must say candidly that I hope your young lady has n't got her aunt 's mouth . '' `` Kilmeny 's mouth is like a love-song made incarnate in sweet flesh , '' said Eric enthusiastically . `` Humph ! '' said Mr. Marshall . `` Well , '' he added more tolerantly , a moment later , `` I was a poet , too , for six months in my life when I was courting your mother . '' Kilmeny was reading on the bench under the lilac trees when they reached the orchard . She stood up and came shyly forward to meet them , guessing who the tall , white-haired old gentleman with Eric must be . As she approached Eric saw with a thrill of exultation that she had never looked lovelier . She wore a dress of her favourite blue , simply and quaintly made , as all her gowns were , revealing the perfect lines of her lithe , slender figure . Her glossy black hair was wound about her head in a braided coronet , against which a spray of wild asters shone like pale purple stars . Her face was flushed delicately with excitement . She looked like a young princess , crowned with a ruddy splash of sunlight that fell through the old trees . `` Father , this is Kilmeny , '' said Eric proudly . Kilmeny held out her hand with a shyly murmured greeting . Mr. Marshall took it and held it in his , looking so steadily and piercingly into her face that even her frank gaze wavered before the intensity of his keen old eyes . Then he drew her to him and kissed her gravely and gently on her white forehead . `` My dear , '' he said , `` I am glad and proud that you have consented to be my son 's wife -- and my very dear and honoured daughter . ''
Eric turned abruptly away XXXXX hide his emotion and on his face was a light as of one who sees a great glory widening and deepening down the vista of his future .
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