"Her fondness for the vine and fashion of wearing the flower may appear to you and to others a girlish whim. In reality, they are the motherless child's tribute to the memory of the parent whom she recollects with fondest devotion, although she was but four years old at her death. I have given you this sketch of the family history that you may better comprehend what passes in the little household. I have engaged a room for you at the hotel, but most of our time will, I suspect, be spent at the Parsonage. I want you to know them all—particularly Jessie. It may be you can be of service to her while I am abroad."
"What does she say to that scheme?"
"I have said nothing to her about it. I dread the task!" Roy looked very grave. "Her father agreed with me that it was wiser to be silent on the subject before her, until my plans should be definitively laid. I would prolong the clear shining of her day while I can."
He arose, apparently anxious to dismiss the subject. "We must go! They have tea at sunset"
"He cannot trust himself to discuss the separation," said Orrin, inly, following the rapid course of his thoughtful cousin down the mountain. "One tear from his pert Amaryllis would reverse his decision at this—the eleventh hour. 'Lord! what fools these lovers be!'"
The manse meadows were gained by a rustic foot-bridge spanning the creek which skirted these. Two burly farmers were waiting here to speak to Mr. Fordham, and Orrin, supposing that their business would be better transacted if he were not by, sauntered on to the garden. Lingering among the fragrant borders, momentarily expecting his friend to rejoin him, he lost himself presently in a rose labyrinth, so affluent of bloom and odor that he did not know where he was until warned of his proximity to the oriel window by Jessie's voice. Through a crevice in the creepers he could see her lounge set in the spacious recess, and the back of her head as she raised it to speak to some one within the room.
"Roy described him as distingué and fascinating!" she said, in an accent of chagrin. "I call him neither. He is positively homely! Don't you think so ? "
Orrin should have moved—assured as he was that he was the subject of unflattering remark. In his code, this was the reason why he should remain quiescent and hearken for more. Perhaps others who make higher pretensions to the minor moralities would have done likewise.
"He is not handsome, certainly," returned Miss Kirke. "Yet I should hardly call him homely. You are disposed to be unreasonable because your expectations were unduly raised."
"By his cousin, who told me that he was the most popular man in Hamilton, one of the glass-of-fashion and mould-of-form kind, you know," continued Jessie, in increasing vexation. "Am I to blame if I lose at least the outposts of my temper when, having expected an Adonis, I behold"—
"A gentleman!" her sister finished the sentence. "Since he is that, dear, and Roy's cousin, he should be safe from our criticism, at any rate, while he is our guest"
There was a pause before Jessie spoke again.
"Darling Euna! are you displeased with me?" she said, coaxingly. "I was cross and unladylike, I acknowledge. I ought not, I did not, expect that he would be Roy's equal in appearance or manner, but I am grievously disappointed!"
"Not to be outdone in generous candor, I own that I am, also," was the reply.
