too strong. She gave up
considering the prudential side of the measure, thinking that perhaps
Mr. Linden knew his own feelings best; and once decided, let pleasure
have its full flow. With hardly a shade upon the glad readiness of her
movements, she placed the chair and brought the book, and sat docile
down, though keeping a jealous watch for any sign of pain or weariness
that should warn her to stop. And from one thing to another he led her
on, talking less than usual, perhaps, himself, but giving her none the
less good a lesson. And the signs she sought for could not be found.
Weary he was not, mentally, and physical nature knew its place. Last of
all, the little exercise was opened and commented upon and praised--and
she praised through it, though very delicately.

"Have I tired you?" he said, as the town clock struck an hour past the
mid-day.

"Oh no!--And you, Mr. Linden?"

In what a different tone the two parts of her speech were spoken.

"I have not hurt myself," he said smiling. "Perhaps by and by, this
afternoon, you will let me see you again. Dr. Harrison threatens to
keep me at home for two or three weeks, and I want to make the most of
them,--I may not have such a time of leisure again." And then Mr.
Linden gave the doctor's message--a message, very strictly, and as near
as possible in the doctor's own words, receiving as little tinge as it
well could from the medium through which it passed.

"The other message," he said, giving her a letter, "you will find
there."

"A message?"--said Faith doubtfully and flushing with pleasure--"isn't
this one of your sister's letters?"

"Yes. Mayn't she send you a message?"

A very modest and very happy smile and deepening blush answered that;
and she ran away with a sudden compunctious remembrance of Mr. Linden's
dinner.

After dinner Faith had something to do in the kitchen, and something to
do in other parts of the house, and then she would have read the letter
before all things else; but then came in a string of company--one after
the other, everybody wanting the news and much more than could be
given. So it was a succession of flourishing expectations cut down and
blasted; and both Faith and her mother grew tired of the exercise of
cutting down and blasting, and Faith remembered with dismay that the
afternoon was wearing and Mr. Linden had wished to see her again. She
seized her chance and escaped at last, between the adieu of one lady
and the accost of an