John Eax and Mamelon, or, The South without the shadow

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 edition. Excerpt: ...the way he acted about it, too. He never attempted to put aside my hands or overcome my feigned aversion either by violence or persuasion, and I had to steal behind him as he leaned back in the great arm-chair upon the porch that evening and kiss his newly-bearded lips, or I verily believe I should not have known their touch until to-day. Our betrothal had been as much a matter of course as our courtship. It was a right romantic one, too. I had never worn a ring. The truth is, I was vain of my hand: it was counted very shapely in those days. I had always said that I would never wear any ring but one solitaire and one plain gold--meaning, of course, an engagement and a wedding ring. It was a mere piece of vanity, as I wished to make my hands noticeable by the absence of these usual adornments; a resolution to which I have strictly adhered," she added, as she glanced at a plain gold circlet and a diamond solitaire which adorned her exquisite hand. One day Paul took my hand in his great palm and said, half musingly: "You ought to have a ring, Cousin Sue." "You know well enough, sir, the reason why I have none," I said mockingly, with never a thought that I was challenging him to woo me, though I was ready to marry him that instant if he had but asked me to do so. He smiled in his grave way and said: "Do you adhere to your old fancy about rings?" I saw then what a forward hoyden I had been, and was angry at myself for having done so, and at him for taking advantage of my unmeaning banter, as I thought he must have known it was. I felt my face grow hot, and as I jerked away my hand and flashed a look up at his face, I saw he was smiling down at my embarrassment. I was right down angry then, and determined...