That quite won me, Mina, for it was brave and sweet of him, and noble too, to a rival - wasn't it?- and he so sad, so I leant over and kissed him. He stood up with my two hands in his, and as he looked down into my face - I am afraid I was blushing very much, he said, 'Little girl, I hold your hand, and you've kissed me, and if these things don't make us friends nothing ever will. Thank you for your sweet honesty to me, and goodbye.'

He wrung my hand, and taking up his hat, went straight out of the room without looking back, without a tear or a quiver or a pause, and I am crying like a baby.

Oh, why must a man like that be made unhappy when there are lots of girls about who would worship the very ground he trod on? I know I would if I were free, only I don't want to be free. My dear, this quite upset me, and I feel I cannot write of happiness just at once, after telling you of it, and I don't wish to tell of the number Three until it can be all happy.
Ever your loving ...

Lucy

Vocabulary:

Rival: Someone you are in a contest against
Blushing: When your face goes red
Wrung: Here it means 'shook'
Quiver: When your body shakes
Worship: Think something is totally wonderful