corner. Even baby is fretful in such a
hot place, and I have sent him out into the shade.'

'Is it always so?'

'Oh, no, only on such days as this; and I should not care about it
to-day, but for one thing'--she hesitated, and lowered her voice, partly
piteous, partly ashamed. 'Don't you know since I have been so weak and
stupid, how my face burns when I am tired? and, of all things, Arthur
dislikes a flushed race. There, now I have told you; but I could not
help it. It is vain and foolish and absurd to care, almost wicked, and
I have told myself so fifty times; but I have got into a fret, and I
cannot leave off. I tried coming here to be cool, but I feel it growing
worse, and there's the dinner-party, and Arthur will be vexed'--and she
was almost crying. 'I am doing what I thought I never would again, and
about such nonsense.'

'Come in here,' said John, leading her into a pleasant apartment fitted
up as a library, the fresh air coming through the open window. 'I was
wishing to show you my room.'

'How cool! Arthur told me it was the nicest room in the house,' said
Violet, her attention instantly diverted.

'Yes, am I not a luxurious man? There, try my great armchair. I am glad
to have a visit from you. You must come again.'

'Oh! thank you. What quantities of books! No wonder every book one wants
comes out of your room.'

'I shall leave you the use of them.'

'Do you mean that I may take any of your books home with me?'

'It will be very good for them.'

'How delightful,' and she was up in a moment reading their titles, but
he made her return to the great chair.

'Rest now, there will be plenty of time, now you know your way. You
must make this your retreat from the sun. Ah, by the bye, I have just
recollected that I brought something for you from Madeira. I chose it
because it reminded me of the flowers you wore at the Whitford ball.'

It was a wreath of pink and white brier roses, in the feather flowers
of Madeira, and she was delighted, declaring Arthur would think it
beautiful, admiring every bud and leaf, and full of radiant girlish
smiles. It would exactly suit her dress, Arthur's present, now worn for
the first time.

'You are not going yet?'

'I thought I might be in your way.'

'Not at all; if I had anything to do, I would leave you to the books;
but I have several things to show you.'

'I was wishing to look at those drawings. Who is that queen with the
cross on her arm?'

'St. Helena;