She saw that she was
pretty, but that was all. Having seen that which she wished, and
become satisfied that Jenny was not to be feared (which showed her
inexperience) Bertha directed her steps homeward. But she chose her
time of departure awkwardly; for as she was passing along behind the
cabs, which concealed her, Hector came out of the station. They
crossed each other's paths at the gate, and their eyes met. Did he
recognize her? His face expressed great surprise, yet he did not
bow to her. "Yes, he recognized me," thought Bertha, as she returned
home by the river-road; and surprised, almost terrified by her
boldness, she asked herself whether she ought to rejoice or mourn
over this meeting. What would be its result? Hector cautiously
followed her at a little distance. He was greatly astonished. His
vanity, always on the watch, had already apprised him of what was
passing in Bertha's heart, but, though modesty was no fault of his,
he was far from guessing that she was so much enamoured of him as
to take such a step.
"She loves me!" he repeated to himself, as he went along. "She
loves me!"
He did not yet know what to do.
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