| OCR Text |
Show Page 22 marvel of the New World and had gone to his cabin. Zounds! Richard had not gone to his cabin as I thought. He had walked around the deck and come up behind where I sat. When he first spoke, he gave me such a fright I dropped my quill, making a splotch upon my journal. "I did not mean to startle you, mistress," he said. "The thoughts you record must be fascinating ones for them to hold your attention so soundly." "I am simply recording what I see around me," I answered, closing my journal and wondering what the gentleman would think if he knew I had been describing his dress and actions in detail. "And what do you think of what you see?" he asked. "It looks rather beautiful, but untamed," I replied. "In the midst of the forest I would feel ever so much alone." "I hope you shall never have that feeling," he replied. Then to my surprise he reached down and took my hand to pull me to my feet. "Have I permission to speak to you of a matter close to my heart?" he asked. I nodded, but my own heart was beating so with bewilderment I doubted I would hear what he had to say. "You have been much in my thoughts lately," he began. "Even though you say someone will be at James Towne to meet you, you are in truth alone in the New World." |
