Perhaps her sensitive nature divined and responded to the beauty in his . At least , in her eyes Jasper Dale was never a ridiculous figure . When she heard the story of the west gable , which most people disbelieved , she believed it , although she did not understand it . It invested the shy man with interest and romance . She felt that she would have liked , out of no impertinent curiosity , to solve the mystery ; she believed that it contained the key to his character . Thereafter , every day she found flowers under the pine tree ; she wished to see Jasper to thank him , unaware that he watched her daily from the screen of shrubbery in his garden ; but it was some time before she found the opportunity . One evening she passed when he , not expecting her , was leaning against his garden fence with a book in his hand . She stopped under the pine . `` Mr. Dale , '' she said softly , `` I want to thank you for your flowers . '' Jasper , startled , wished that he might sink into the ground . His anguish of embarrassment made her smile a little . He could not speak , so she went on gently . `` It has been so good of you . They have given me so much pleasure -- I wish you could know how much . '' `` It was nothing -- nothing , '' stammered Jasper . His book had fallen on the ground at her feet , and she picked it up and held it out to him . `` So you like Ruskin , '' she said . `` I do , too . But I have n't read this . '' `` If you -- would care -- to read it -- you may have it , '' Jasper contrived to say .
She carried the book away XXXXX her .
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