Rose in Bloom Read online

  CHAPTER II.

  _OLD FRIENDS WITH NEW FACES._

  "It is _so_ good to be at home again! I wonder how we ever made up ourminds to go away!" exclaimed Rose, as she went roaming about the oldhouse next morning, full of the satisfaction one feels at revisitingfamiliar nooks and corners, and finding them unchanged.

  "That we might have the pleasure of coming back again," answeredPhebe, walking down the hall beside her little mistress, as happy asshe.

  "Every thing seems just as we left it, even to the rose-leaves we usedto tuck in here," continued the younger girl, peeping into one of thetall India jars that stood about the hall.

  "Don't you remember how Jamie and Pokey used to play Forty Thieveswith them, and how you tried to get into that blue one and got stuck,and the other boys found us before I could pull you out?" asked Phebe,laughing.

  "Yes, indeed; and speaking of angels one is apt to hear the rustlingof their wings," added Rose, as a shrill whistle came up the avenue,accompanied by the clatter of hoofs.

  "It is the circus!" cried Phebe, gaily, as they both recalled the redcart and the charge of the Clan.

  There was only one boy now, alas! but he made noise enough for half adozen; and, before Rose could run to the door, Jamie came bouncing inwith a "shining morning face," a bat over his shoulder, a red andwhite jockey cap on his head, one pocket bulging with a big ball, theother overflowing with cookies, and his mouth full of the apple he wasjust finishing off in hot haste.

  "Morning! I just looked in to make sure you'd really come, and seethat you were all right," he observed, saluting with the bat anddoffing the gay cap with one effective twitch.

  "Good-morning, dear. Yes, we are really here, and getting to rights asfast as possible. But it seems to me you are rather gorgeous, Jamie.What do you belong to,--a fire company or a jockey club?" asked Rose,turning up the once chubby face, which now was getting brown, andsquare about the chin.

  "No, _ma'am_! Why, don't you know? I'm captain of the Base Ball StarClub. Look at that, will you?" and, as if the fact was one of nationalimportance, Jamie flung open his jacket to display upon his proudlyswelling chest a heart-shaped red-flannel shield, decorated with awhite cotton star the size of a tea-plate.

  "Superb! I've been away so long I forgot there was such a game. And_you_ are the captain?" cried Rose, deeply impressed by the high honorto which her kinsman had arrived.

  "I just am, and it's no joke you'd better believe; for we knock ourteeth out, black our eyes, and split our fingers almost as well as thebig fellows. You come down to the Common between one and two and seeus play a match; then you'll understand what hard work it is. I'llteach you to bat now if you'll come out on the lawn," added Jamie,fired with a wish to exhibit his prowess.

  "No, thank you, captain. The grass is wet, and you'll be late atschool if you stay for us."

  "I'm not afraid. Girls are not good for much generally; but you neverused to mind a little wet, and played cricket like a good one. Can'tyou ever do that sort of thing now?" asked the boy, with a pityinglook at these hapless creatures, debarred from the joys and perils ofmanly sports.

  "I can run still: and I'll get to the gate before you; see if Idon't;" and, yielding to the impulse of the moment, Rose darted downthe steps before astonished Jamie could mount and follow.

  He was off in a moment: but Rose had the start; and, though oldSheltie did his best, she reached the goal just ahead, and stood therelaughing and panting, all rosy with the fresh October air, a prettypicture for several gentlemen who were driving by.

  "Good for you, Rose!" said Archie, jumping out to shake hands, whileWill and Geordie saluted, and Uncle Mac laughed at Jamie, who lookedas if girls had risen slightly in his opinion.

  "I'm glad it is you, because you won't be shocked. But I'm so happy tobe back I forgot I was not little Rose still," said Atalanta,smoothing down her flying hair.

  "You look very like her, with the curls on your shoulders in the oldway. I missed them last night, and wondered what it was. How is uncleand Phebe?" asked Archie, whose eyes had been looking over Rose's headwhile he spoke toward the piazza, where a female figure was visibleamong the reddening woodbines.

  "All well, thanks. Won't you come up and see for yourselves?"

  "Can't, my dear, can't possibly. Business, you know, business. Thisfellow is my right-hand man, and I can't spare him a minute. Come,Arch, we must be off, or these boys will miss their train," answeredUncle Mac, pulling out his watch.

  With a last look from the light-haired figure at the gate to thedark-haired one among the vines, Archie drove away, and Jamie canteredafter, consoling himself for his defeat with apple number two.

  Rose lingered a moment, feeling much inclined to continue her run, andpop in upon all the aunts in succession; but, remembering heruncovered head, was about to turn back, when a cheerful "Ahoy! ahoy!"made her look up, to see Mac approaching at a great pace, waving hishat as he came.

  "The Campbells are coming thick and fast this morning, and the morethe merrier," she said, running to meet him. "You look like a good boygoing to school, and virtuously conning your lesson by the way," sheadded, smiling to see him take his finger out of the book he hadevidently been reading, and tuck it under his arm, just as he used todo years ago.

  "I _am_ a school-boy going to the school I like best," he answered,waving a plumy spray of asters, as if pointing out the lovely autumnworld about them, full of gay hues, fresh airs, and mellow sunshine.

  "That reminds me that I didn't get a chance to hear much about yourplans last night: the other boys all talked at once, and you only gotin a word now and then. What have you decided to be, Mac?" asked Rose,as they went up the avenue side by side.

  "A man first, and a good one if possible; after that, what Godpleases."

  Something in the tone, as well as the words, made Rose look up quicklyinto Mac's face, to see a new expression there. It was indescribable;but she felt as she had often done when watching the mists partsuddenly, giving glimpses of some mountain-top, shining serene andhigh against the blue.

  "I think you _will_ be something splendid; for you really look quiteglorified, walking under this arch of yellow leaves with the sunshineon your face," she exclaimed, conscious of a sudden admiration neverfelt before; for Mac was the plainest of all the cousins.

  "I don't know about that; but I have my dreams and aspirations, andsome of them are pretty high ones. Aim at the best, you know, and keepclimbing if you want to get on," he said, looking at the asters withan inward sort of smile, as if he and they had some sweet secretbetween them.

  "You are queerer than ever. But I like your ambition, and hope youwill get on. Only mustn't you begin at something soon? I fancied youwould study medicine with uncle: that used to be our plan, you know."

  "I shall, for the present at least, because I quite agree with youthat it is necessary to have an anchor somewhere, and not go floatingoff into the world of imagination without ballast of the right sort.Uncle and I had some talk about it last night, and I'm going up tobegin as soon as possible; for I've mooned long enough," and givinghimself a shake, Mac threw down the pretty spray, adding half aloud,--

  "Chide me not, laborious band, For the idle flowers I brought: Every aster in my hand Goes home laden with a thought."

  Rose caught the words and smiled, thinking to herself, "Oh, that's it:he is getting into the sentimental age, and Aunt Jane has beenlecturing him. Dear me, how we _are_ growing up!"

  "You look as if you didn't like the prospect very well," she saidaloud; for Mac had rammed the volume of Shelley into his pocket, andthe glorified expression was so entirely gone Rose fancied that shehad been mistaken about the mountain-top behind the mists.

  "Yes, well enough: I always thought the profession a grand one; andwhere could I find a better teacher than uncle? I've got into lazyways lately, and it is high time I went at something useful; so here Igo," and Mac abruptly vanished into the study, while Rose joined Phebein Aunt Plenty's room.

>   The dear old lady had just decided, after long and earnest discussion,which of six favorite puddings should be served for dinner, and thushad a few moments to devote to sentiment; so, when Rose came in, sheheld out her arms, saying fondly,--

  "I shall not feel as if I'd got my child back again, until I have herin my lap a minute. No, you're not a bit too heavy; my rheumatismdoesn't begin much before November: so sit here, darling, and put yourtwo arms round my neck."

  Rose obeyed, and neither spoke for a moment, as the old woman held theyoung one close, and appeased the two years' longing of a motherlyheart by the caresses women give the creatures dearest to them. Rightin the middle of a kiss, however, she stopped suddenly; and, holdingout one arm, caught Phebe, who was trying to steal away unobserved.

  "Don't go: there's room for both in my love, though there isn't in mylap. I'm so grateful to get my dear girls safely home again, that Ihardly know what I'm about," said Aunt Plenty, embracing Phebe soheartily that she could not feel left out in the cold, and stood therewith her black eyes shining through the happiest tears.

  "There, now I've had a good hug, and feel as if I was all right again.I wish you'd set that cap in order, Rose: I went to bed in such ahurry I pulled the strings off and left it all in a heap. Phebe, dear,you shall dust round a mite, just as you used to; for I haven't hadany one to do it as I like since you've been gone, and it will do megood to see all my knickknacks straightened out in your tidy way,"said the elder lady, getting up with a refreshed expression on herrosy old face.

  "Shall I dust in here too?" asked Phebe, glancing toward an inner roomwhich used to be her care.

  "No, dear, I'd rather do that myself. Go in if you like: nothing ischanged. I _must_ go and see to my pudding;" and Aunt Plenty trottedabruptly away, with a quiver of emotion in her voice which made evenher last words pathetic.

  Pausing on the threshold as if it was a sacred place, the girls lookedin with eyes soon dimmed by tender tears; for it seemed as if thegentle occupant was still there. Sunshine shone on the old geraniumsby the window; the cushioned chair stood in its accustomed place, withthe white wrapper hung across it, and the faded slippers lying ready.Books and basket, knitting and spectacles, were all just as she hadleft them; and the beautiful tranquillity that always filled the roomseemed so natural both lookers turned involuntarily toward the bedwhere Aunt Peace used to greet them with a smile. There was no sweetold face upon the pillow now, yet the tears that wet the bloomingcheeks were not for her who had gone, but for her who was left;because they saw something which spoke eloquently of the love whichoutlives death and makes the humblest thing beautiful and sacred.

  A well-worn footstool stood beside the bed, and in the high-piledwhiteness of the empty couch there was a little hollow where a grayhead nightly rested, while Aunt Plenty said the prayers her mothertaught her seventy years ago.

  Without a word, the girls softly shut the door: and, while Phebe putthe room in the most exquisite order, Rose retrimmed the plain whitecap, where pink and yellow ribbons never rustled now; both feelinghonored by their tasks, and better for their knowledge of the faithfullove and piety which sanctified a good old woman's life.

  "You darling creature, I'm _so_ glad to get you back! I know it'sshamefully early; but I really couldn't keep away another minute. Letme help you: I'm dying to see all your splendid things; for I saw thetrunks pass, and I know you've quantities of treasures," criedAnnabel Bliss, all in one breath as she embraced Rose an hour later,and glanced about the room bestrewn with a variety of agreeableobjects.

  "How well you are looking! Sit down and I'll show you my lovelyphotographs. Uncle chose all the best for me, and it's a treat to seethem," answered Rose, putting a roll on the table and looking aboutfor more.

  "Oh, thanks! I haven't time now: one needs hours to study such things.Show me your Paris dresses, there's a dear: I'm perfectly aching tosee the last styles," and Annabel cast a hungry eye toward certainlarge boxes delightfully suggestive of French finery.

  "I haven't got any," said Rose, fondly surveying the fine photographsas she laid them away.

  "Rose Campbell! you don't mean to say that you didn't get one Parisdress at least?" cried Annabel, scandalized at the bare idea of suchneglect.

  "Not one for myself: Aunt Clara ordered several, and will be charmedto show them when her box comes."

  "Such a chance! right there and plenty of money! How _could_ you loveyour uncle after such cruelty?" sighed Annabel, with a face full ofsympathy.

  Rose looked puzzled for a minute, then seemed to understand, andassumed a superior air which became her very well, as she said,good-naturedly opening a box of laces, "Uncle did not forbid my doingit, and I had money enough; but I chose not to spend it on things ofthat sort."

  "Could and didn't! I can't believe it!" And Annabel sunk into a chair,as if the thought was too much for her.

  "I did rather want to at first, just for the fun of the thing; infact, I went and looked at some amazing gowns. But they were veryexpensive, very much trimmed, and not my style at all; so I gave themup, and kept what I valued more than all the gowns Worth ever made."

  "What in the world was it?" cried Annabel, hoping she would saydiamonds.

  "Uncle's good opinion," answered Rose, looking thoughtfully into thedepths of a packing case, where lay the lovely picture that wouldalways remind her of the little triumph over girlish vanity, which notonly kept but increased "Uncle's good opinion."

  "Oh, indeed!" said Annabel, blankly, and fell to examining AuntPlenty's lace; while Rose went on with a happy smile in her eyes asshe dived into another trunk.

  "Uncle thinks one has no right to waste money on such things; but heis very generous, and loves to give useful, beautiful, or curiousgifts. See, all these pretty ornaments are for presents; and you shallchoose first whatever you like."

  "He's a perfect dear!" cried Annabel, revelling in the crystal,filigree, coral, and mosaic trinkets spread before her; while Rosecompleted her rapture by adding sundry tasteful trifles fresh fromParis.

  "Now tell me, when do you mean to have your coming-out party? I askbecause I've nothing ready, and want plenty of time; for, I suppose,it will be _the_ event of the season," asked Annabel, a few minuteslater, as she wavered between a pink coral and a blue lava set.

  "I came out when I went to Europe; but I suppose Aunty Plen will wantto have some sort of merrymaking to celebrate our return. I shallbegin as I mean to go on, and have a simple, sociable sort of party,and invite every one whom I like, no matter in what 'set' they happento belong. No one shall ever say _I_ am aristocratic and exclusive: soprepare yourself to be shocked; for old friends and young, rich andpoor, will be asked to all my parties."

  "Oh, my heart! you _are_ going to be odd just as mamma predicted!"sighed Annabel, clasping her hands in despair, and studying the effectof three bracelets on her chubby arm in the midst of her woe.

  "In my own house I'm going to do as I think best; and, if people callme odd, I can't help it. I shall endeavor not to do any thing verydreadful; but I seem to inherit uncle's love for experiments, and meanto try some. I dare say they will fail and I shall get laughed at; Iintend to do it nevertheless, so you had better drop me now before Ibegin," said Rose, with an air of resolution that was rather alarming.

  "What shall you wear at this new sort of party of yours?" askedAnnabel, wisely turning a deaf ear to all delicate or dangerous topicsand keeping to matters she understood.

  "That white thing over there. It is fresh and pretty, and Phebe hasone like it. I never want to dress more than she does; and gowns ofthat sort are always most appropriate and becoming to girls of ourage."

  "Phebe! you don't mean to say you are going to make a lady of _her_!"gasped Annabel, upsetting her treasures, as she fell back with agesture that made the little chair creak again; for Miss Bliss was asplump as a partridge.

  "She _is_ one already, and anybody who slights her slights me; for sheis the best girl I know and the dearest," cried Rose, warmly.

&
nbsp; "Yes, of course,--I was only surprised,--you are quite right; for she_may_ turn out to be somebody, and then how glad you'll feel that youwere so good to her!" said Annabel, veering round at once, seeingwhich way the wind blew.

  Before Rose could speak again, a cheery voice called from the hall,--

  "Little mistress, where are you?"

  "In my room, Phebe, dear," and up came the girl Rose was going to"make a lady of," looking so like one that Annabel opened herchina-blue eyes, and smiled involuntarily as Phebe dropped a littlecourtesy in playful imitation of her old manner, and said quietly,--

  "How do you do, Miss Bliss?"

  "Glad to see you back, Miss Moore," answered Annabel, shaking hands ina way that settled the question of Phebe's place in _her_ mind forever; for the stout damsel had a kind heart in spite of a weak head,and was really fond of Rose. It was evidently, "Love me, love myPhebe;" so she made up her mind on the spot that Phebe _was_ somebody,and that gave an air of romance even to the poor-house.

  She could not help staring a little, as she watched the two friendswork together, and listened to their happy talk over each new treasureas it came to light; for every look and word plainly showed that yearsof close companionship had made them very dear to one another. It waspretty to see Rose try to do the hardest part of any little jobherself: still prettier to see Phebe circumvent her, and untie thehard knots, fold the stiff papers, or lift the heavy trays with herown strong hands; and prettiest of all to hear her say in a motherlytone, as she put Rose into an easy chair,--

  "Now, my deary, sit and rest; for you will have to see company allday, and I can't let you get tired out so early."

  "That is no reason why I should let you either. Call Jane to help orI'll bob up again directly," answered Rose, with a very badassumption of authority.

  "Jane may take my place downstairs; but no one shall wait on you hereexcept me, as long as I'm with you," said stately Phebe, stooping toput a hassock under the feet of her little mistress.

  "It is very nice and pretty to see; but I don't know what people_will_ say when she goes into society with the rest of us. I do hopeRose won't be _very_ odd," said Annabel to herself as she went away tocirculate the depressing news that there was to be no grand ball; and,saddest disappointment of all, that Rose had not a single Pariscostume with which to refresh the eyes and rouse the envy of heramiable friends.

  "Now I've seen or heard from all the boys but Charlie, and I supposehe is too busy. I wonder what he is about," thought Rose, turning fromthe hall door, whither she had courteously accompanied her guest.

  The wish was granted a moment after; for, going into the parlor todecide where some of her pictures should hang, she saw a pair of bootsat one end of the sofa, a tawny-brown head at the other, anddiscovered that Charlie was busily occupied in doing nothing.

  "The voice of the Bliss was heard in the land, so I dodged till shewent upstairs, and then took a brief _siesta_ while waiting to pay myrespects to the distinguished traveller, Lady Hester Stanhope," hesaid, leaping up to make his best bow.

  "The voice of the sluggard would be a more appropriate quotation, Ithink. Does Annabel still pine for you?" asked Rose, recalling certainyouthful jokes upon the subject of unrequited affections.

  "Not a bit of it. Fun has cut me out, and the fair Annabella will beMrs. Tokio before the winter is over, if I'm not much mistaken."

  "What, little Fun See? How droll it seems to think of him grown up andmarried to Annabel of all people! She never said a word about him; butthis accounts for her admiring my pretty Chinese things, and being sointerested in Canton."

  "Little Fun is a great swell now, and much enamoured of our fatfriend, who will take to chopsticks whenever he says the word. Ineedn't ask how you do, cousin; for you beat that Aurora all hollow inthe way of color. I should have been up before, but I thought you'dlike a good rest after your voyage."

  "I was running a race with Jamie before nine o'clock. What were youdoing, young man?"

  "'Sleeping I dreamed, love, dreamed, love, of thee,'"

  began Charlie; but Rose cut him short by saying as reproachfully asshe could, while the culprit stood regarding her with placidsatisfaction,--

  "You ought to have been up and at work like the rest of the boys. Ifelt like a drone in a hive of very busy bees, when I saw them allhurrying off to their business."

  "But, my dear girl, I've got no business. I'm making up my mind, yousee, and do the ornamental while I'm deciding. There always ought tobe one gentleman in a family, and that seems to be rather my line,"answered Charlie, posing for the character, with an assumption oflanguid elegance which would have been very effective if his twinklingeyes had not spoilt it.

  "There are none _but_ gentlemen in our family, I hope," answered Rose,with the proud air she always wore when any thing was said derogatoryto the name of Campbell.

  "Of course, of course. I should have said gentleman of leisure. Yousee it is against my principles to slave as Archie does. What's theuse? Don't need the money, got plenty; so why not enjoy it, and keepjolly as long as possible? I'm sure cheerful people are publicbenefactors in this world of woe."

  It was not easy to object to this proposition, especially when made bya comely young man, who looked the picture of health and happiness ashe sat on the arm of the sofa, smiling at his cousin in the mostengaging manner. Rose knew very well that the Epicurean philosophy wasnot the true one to begin life upon; but it was difficult to reasonwith Charlie, because he always dodged sober subjects, and was so fullof cheery spirits, one hated to lessen the sort of sunshine whichcertainly is a public benefactor.

  "You have such a clever way of putting things that I don't know how tocontradict you, though I still think I'm right," she said gravely."Mac likes to idle as well as you; but he is not going to do it,because he knows it's bad for him to fritter away his time. He isgoing to study a profession like a wise boy; though he would muchprefer to live among his beloved books, or ride his hobbies in peace."

  "That's all very well for _him_, because _he_ doesn't care forsociety, and may as well be studying medicine as philandering aboutthe woods with his pockets full of musty philosophers andold-fashioned poets," answered Charlie, with a shrug which plainlyexpressed his opinion of Mac.

  "I wonder if musty philosophers, like Socrates and Aristotle, andold-fashioned poets, like Shakspeare and Milton, are not safer companyfor him to keep than some of the more modern friends you have?" saidRose, remembering Jamie's hints about wild oats; for she could be alittle sharp sometimes, and had not lectured "the boys" for so long itseemed unusually pleasant.

  But Charlie changed the subject skilfully by exclaiming with ananxious expression,--

  "I do believe you are going to be like Aunt Jane; for that's just theway she comes down on me whenever she gets a chance! Don't take herfor a model, I beg: she is a good woman, but a mighty disagreeableone, in my humble opinion."

  The fear of being disagreeable is a great bugbear to a girl, as thisartful young man well knew, and Rose fell into the trap at once; forAunt Jane was far from being her model, though she could not helprespecting her worth.

  "Have you given up your painting?" she asked rather abruptly, turningto a gilded Fra Angelico angel which leaned in the sofa corner.

  "Sweetest face I ever saw, and very like you about the eyes, isn'tit?" said Charlie, who seemed to have a Yankee trick of replying toone question with another.

  "I want an answer, not a compliment," and Rose tried to look severe,as she put away the picture more quickly than she took it up.

  "Have I given up painting? Oh, no! I daub a little in oils, slop alittle in water-colors, sketch now and then, and poke about thestudios when the artistic fit comes on."

  "How is the music?"

  "More flourishing. I don't practise much, but sing a good deal incompany. Set up a guitar last summer, and went troubadouring round ingreat style. The girls like it, and it's jolly among the fellows."

  "Are you studying any thing?"

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bsp; "Well, I have some law books on my table,--good, big, wise-lookingchaps,--and I take a turn at them semi-occasionally, when pleasurepalls or parents chide. But I doubt if I do more than learn what 'aallybi' is this year," and a sly laugh in Charlie's eye suggested thathe sometimes availed himself of this bit of legal knowledge.

  "What _do_ you do then?"

  "Fair catechist, I enjoy myself. Private theatricals have been therage of late, and I have won such laurels that I seriously think ofadopting the stage as my profession."

  "Really!" cried Rose, alarmed.

  "Why not? if I _must_ go to work, isn't that as good as any thing?"

  "Not without more talent than I think you possess. With genius one cando any thing: without it one had better let the stage alone."

  "There's a quencher for the 'star of the goodlie companie' to which Ibelong. Mac hasn't a ray of genius for any thing, yet you admire himfor trying to be an M.D.," cried Charlie, rather nettled by her words.

  "It is respectable, at all events; and I'd rather be a second-ratedoctor than a second-rate actor. But I know you don't mean it, andonly say so to frighten me."

  "Exactly. I always bring it up when any one begins to lecture, and itworks wonders. Uncle Mac turns pale, the aunts hold up their hands inholy horror, and a general panic ensues. Then I magnanimously promisenot to disgrace the family; and in the first burst of gratitude thedear souls agree to every thing I ask; so peace is restored, and I goon my way rejoicing."

  "Just the way you used to threaten to run off to sea, if your motherobjected to any of your whims. You are not changed in that respect,though you are in others. You had great plans and projects once,Charlie; and now you seem to be contented with being a 'jack of alltrades and master of none.'"

  "Boyish nonsense! Time has brought wisdom; and I don't see the senseof tying myself down to one particular thing, and grinding away at ityear after year. People of one idea get so deucedly narrow and tame,I've no patience with them. Culture is the thing; and the sort onegets by ranging over a wide field is the easiest to acquire, thehandiest to have, and the most successful in the end. At any rate, itis the kind I like, and the only kind I intend to bother myselfabout."

  With this declaration, Charlie smoothed his brow, clasped his handsover his head, and, leaning back, gently warbled the chorus of acollege song, as if it expressed his views of life better than hecould:--

  "While our rosy fillets shed Blushes o'er each fervid head, With many a cup and many a smile The festal moments we beguile."

  "Some of my saints here were people of one idea; and, though they werenot very successful in a worldly point of view while alive, they wereloved and canonized when dead," said Rose, who had been turning over apile of photographs upon the table, and, just then, found herfavorite, St. Francis, among them.

  "This is more to my taste. Those worn-out, cadaverous fellows give methe blues; but here's a gentlemanly saint, who takes things easy, anddoes good as he goes along, without howling over his own sins, ormaking other people miserable by telling them of theirs." And Charlielaid a handsome St. Martin beside the brown-frocked monk.

  Rose looked at both, and understood why her cousin preferred thesoldierly figure with the sword to the ascetic with his crucifix. Onewas riding bravely through the world in purple and fine linen, withhorse and hound, and squires at his back; the other was in alazar-house, praying over the dead and dying. The contrast was astrong one; and the girl's eyes lingered longest on the knight, thoughshe said thoughtfully,--

  "Yours is certainly the pleasantest: and yet I never heard of any gooddeed he did, except divide his cloak with a beggar; while my St.Francis gave himself to charity just when life was most tempting, andspent years working for God without reward. He's old and poor, and ina dreadful place, but I won't give him up; and you may have your gaySt. Martin, if you want him."

  "No, thank you; saints are not in my line: but I'd like thegolden-haired angel in the blue gown, if you'll let me have her. Sheshall be my little Madonna, and I'll pray to her like a goodCatholic," answered Charlie, turning to the delicate, deep-eyedfigure, with the lilies in its hand.

  "With all my heart, and any others that you like. Choose some foryour mother, and give them to her with my love."

  So Charlie sat down beside Rose to turn and talk over the pictures fora long and pleasant hour. But when they went away to lunch, if therehad been any one to observe so small but significant a trifle, goodSt. Francis lay face downward behind the sofa, while gallant St.Martin stood erect upon the chimney-piece.