before study would begin again. No more of him--except, at the best,
snatches--till next year; and next year was very far off, and who could
tell what might be next year? But at the best, she must see little more
of him until then; and in the mean time he must put half the world
between them. Nobody saw how fast the roses faded on Faith's cheek; she
sat and looked at the matter all alone, and looked it through. For one
few minutes; and then she rose up and began dressing slowly, looking at
it still, but gathering all her forces together to deal with it. And
when her dressing was done, she still stood leaning one hand and her
head on the dressing table, thinking over all that was to do. She had
remembered, as with a flash of remembrance, what day the next steamer
would sail--from what port--she knew the hour when Mr. Linden must
leave Pattaquasset. And when her mind had seen all the preparations to
be made, and she thought she was strong enough, she turned to go down
stairs; but then feeling very weak Faith turned again and kneeled down
to pray. And in a mixed feeling of strength and weakness, she went down
stairs.

First to the kitchen, where she quietly looked after the state of the
clothes in the wash, and desired Cindy to have all Mr. Linden's things
ready for ironing that evening. Then attended to the supply of bread
and the provision for breakfast; saw that one or two things about the
supper were in proper order and progress; asked Mrs. Derrick to make
the tea when it was time, and finally, as quietly as if the afternoon's
ride had been the only event of the afternoon, opened the door of the
sitting-room and softly went in.

For a while after reading his own letter Mr. Linden had sat absolutely
still,--then with a sort of impatience to see Faith, to give her what
comfort he could, at least to have her with him every minute, he had
paced up and down the sitting-room till she appeared. Now he took her
in his arms with all sorts of tender caresses--with no words at first
but, "My little Mignonette!" Faith herself was quite still and
wordless; only once, and that suddenly and earnestly, she gave his
cheek the salutation she had never given him before unbidden. From her
it was a whole volume, and thoroughly peace-speaking, although it might
intimate a little difficulty of words.

Keeping one arm round her, Mr. Linden began again his walk up and down
the room; beginning to talk as well--telling her what was in his
le