Kilmeny smiled softly . `` I 'll try to remember , '' she wrote , `` but oh , Aunt Janet , I am so glad I am not ugly . It is not wrong to be glad of that , is it ? '' The older woman 's face softened . `` No , I do n't suppose it is , lassie , '' she conceded . `` A comely face is something to be thankful for -- as none know better than those who have never possessed it . I remember well when I was a girl -- but that is neither here nor there . The Master thinks you are wonderful bonny , Kilmeny , '' she added , looking keenly at the girl . Kilmeny started and a scarlet blush scorched her face . That , and the expression that flashed into her eyes , told Janet Gordon all she wished to know . With a stifled sigh she bade her niece good night and went away . Kilmeny ran fleetly up the stairs to her dim little room , that looked out into the spruces , and flung herself on her bed , burying her burning face in the pillow . Her aunt 's words had revealed to her the hidden secret of her heart . She knew that she loved Eric Marshall -- and the knowledge brought with it a strange anguish . For was she not dumb ? All night she lay staring wide-eyed through the darkness till the dawn . CHAPTER XIV . IN HER SELFLESS MOOD Eric noticed a change in Kilmeny at their next meeting -- a change that troubled him . She seemed aloof , abstracted , almost ill at ease . When he proposed an excursion to the orchard he thought she was reluctant to go .
The days that followed convinced him XXXXX the change .
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