Volume Ii Part 104 (2/2)

Mr. Linden faced round upon her, the quick flas.h.i.+ng eyes answering even more than his. ”Faith! what do you mean?” But his lips played then in a rare little smile, as he said, very quietly, in his former position, ”Imagine Mignonette, with its full sweetness--and more than its full colour--suddenly transplanted to the region where Monkeys and Geraniums grow--I like to think of the effect.”

”I can't think of any effect at all,” said Faith. ”_I_ should look at the Monkeys and Geraniums!”

”Of course--being Mignonette. And clearly that you are; but then how can Mignonette so twine itself round things?”

Faith thought it did not, and also thought of Pet's charge about ”charming;” but she left both points.

”Most climbers,” said Mr. Linden, with a glance at her, ”have but one way of laying hold; but this exotic has all. There are the tendrils when it wants support, and the close twining that makes of two lives one, and the clasp of a hundred little stems that give a leaf or a flower wherever they touch.”

”Endecott!” said Faith, with a look of astonished remonstrance and amus.e.m.e.nt in one.--”What?”

But the smile and blush with which Faith turned away bespoke her not very much displeased; and she knew better by experience than to do battle with Mr. Linden's words. She let him have it his own way.

The next day business claimed him. Faith was given up to the kindness and curiosity of her new friends. They made good use of their opportunity, and their opportunity was a good one; for it was not till late in the day, a little while before the late dinner hour, that Mr.

Linden came home. He found Faith in her room; a superbly appointed chamber, as large as any three of those she had been accustomed to. She was standing at the window, thoughtfully looking out; but turned joyfully to meet Mr. Linden. Apparently he was glad too.

”My dear little Mignonette! I feel as if I had not seen you for a week.”

”It has been a long day,” said Faith; who looked rather, it may be remarked, as if the day had freshly begun.

”Mignonette, you are perfectly lovely! Do you think you will condescend to wear these flowers?” said Mr. Linden, drawing her to a seat by the table, and with one arm still round her beginning to arrange the flowers he had thrown down there as he came in.

Faith watched him, and then looked up.

”Endecott you shouldn't talk to me so. You wouldn't like me to believe you.”

Mr. Linden finished setting two or three ruby carnations in the green and purple of heliotrope and sweet-scented verbena; then laid the bunch lightly upon her lips and gravely inquired if they were sweet.

”Yes,” Faith said, laughing behind them. ”You are not hungry?”

”Why? and what of it?”--”You don't seem to remember it is near dinner-time.”

”Dinner time is a myth. My dear, I am sorry I give you so much uneasiness. I wish you could feel as composed about me as I do about you. What have I done with that white ribband!--don't stir--it is in some pocket or other.” And the right one being found, Mr. Linden unwrapped the piece of ribband and cut off what he wanted, remarking that he could not get used to giving her anything but blue.

”Well, why do you then?” said Faith.--”I feel in a subdued state of mind, owing to reproofs,” said Mr. Linden, with the white satin curling round his fingers. ”I may not tell anybody what I think of my wife!”

Faith looked amused, and yet a soft glance left the charge and the ”reproof” standing.

”I feel so composed about you,” Mr. Linden went on, drawing his white bows--Faith did think the eyes flashed under the shading lashes--”so sure that you will never over-estimate me, much less speak of it. But then you know, Mignonette, I never did profess to follow Reason.”

He was amused to see the little stir his words called up in Faith. He could see it in the changing colour and rest less eye, and in one look of great beauty which Faith favoured him with. Apparently the shy principle prevailed, or Faith's wit got the better of her simplicity; for she rose up gravely and laying her hand on the bunch of flowers asked if she should put them on.

”Unless you prefer my services.”

She sat down again immediately, with a face that very plainly preferred them. Half smiling, with fingers that were in no haste about their work, Mr. Linden adjusted the carnations; glancing from them to her, trying them in different positions, playing over his dainty task as if he liked it. The flowers in place, his full smiling look met hers, and she was carried off to the gla.s.s ”to see his wife.” Hardly seen, after all, but by himself.

”She looks ready for dinner,” said Faith.

”Your eyes are only to look at,” said Mr. Linden with a laughing endors.e.m.e.nt of _his_ thoughts, and putting her back in the dormeuse.

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