slin dress out of the way then!--but there it lay in plain sight
and close neighbourhood. Yet somebody must do it, and it was her
business; and with cheeks of a very pretty deep rose that set off her
white drapery, Faith applied herself to the due folding of the
troublesome muslin. In two minutes Pet came to help her, but in a
different mood, though her eyelashes were glittering.

"Endy, come here and look at this--I think it is so pretty. What
flowers must Faith wear with it?"

"Carnations look very well."

"I said white roses."--

"Which will you wear, Mignonette?" said Mr. Linden.

He was favoured with a glance from two gentle eyes, which it was worth
a little wickedness to get. It was only a flash. "I think Pet is
right,"--she answered with great gravity.

He came close to her side, the low-spoken "you shall have them--"
touched more things than one.

"What do you suppose I found her doing?" said Pet, folding down a
sleeve.

"Pet!"--said Faith. "Don't touch that! Not to-night."

"Do you wish me to leave it unfolded?--the servants will perhaps sweep
in the morning."

"Pet," said Faith softly,--"don't _you_ raise a dust! We might not lay
it so soon."

"Endy," said his sister, "how do you do?--you haven't told me."

"Perfectly well, dear Pet."

"Turn round to the light and let me see--You've grown, thin, child!"

He laughed--giving her a kiss and embrace to make up for that; which
was only half successful. But she spoke in her former tone.

"He looks pretty strong, Faith,--I think I might tell him."

"Mr. Linden," said Faith, "won't you please ask Pet not to tell you
something?"

"I will ask _you_," he said softly, laying his hands lightly on her
shoulders. "Faith--I think we may dispense with 'Mr. Linden' _now_,
even before people."

She was oddly abashed; glanced up at him and glanced down, with the
grave air of a rebuked child. There was nothing about it that was not
pretty; and the next thing her eyes went to Pet. How lovely and
precious she looked as she stood there! with her sweet shy face and
changing colours. Mr. Linden held her to his breast and kissed her more
than once,--but in a way that was beyond chiding.

"Why must I ask Pet not to tell me something?"

"It is nothing great!"--said Faith stammering over her words--"Only you
won't like it very well--but you will have to hear it. I thought
another time--that's all."

"He'll never hear it from you--what I mean," said Miss Linden,