" she sobbed, "and he isn't dead, and they're not divorced, so
why--oh, why?" The pain unreasonably persisted, taking to itself a fresh
hold. She had offended Mrs. Lee and she would tell Alden, and Alden
would be displeased and would never forgive her.

If she were to run after her, and apologise, assuring her that she had
not meant the slightest offence, perhaps--. She stumbled to her feet,
but, even as she did so, she knew that it was too late. She longed with
all the passion of her desolate soul for Alden's arms around her, for
only the touch of his hand or the sound of his voice, saying: "Rosemary!
Rosemary dear!" But it was too late for that also--everything came too
late!

* * * * *

By the time she reached the foot of the hill Edith had understood and
pardoned Rosemary. "Poor child," she thought. "Think of her loving him,
and actually being jealous of me! And, man-like, of course, he's never
noticed it. For her sake, I hope he won't."

[Sidenote: Like a Nymph]

She waited to gather a spray or two of wild crab-apple blossoms, then
went home. She did not see Alden, but stopped to exchange a few words
with Madame, then went on up-stairs. The long walk had wearied her, but
it had also made her more lovely. After an hour of rest and a cool
shower, she was ready to dress for dinner.

She chose a dinner-gown of white embroidered chiffon that she had not
yet worn. It was cut away a little at the throat and the sleeves came to
the elbow. She was not in the mood for jewels, but she clasped a string
of pearls around her perfect throat, and put the crab-apple blossoms in
her hair. The experiment was rather daring, but wholly successful, as
she took care to have green leaves between her hair and the blossoms.

When she went down, Madame and Alden were waiting for her, Alden in
evening clothes as usual and Madame in her lavender gown.

"You look like a nymph of Botticelli's," commented Alden, with a smile.
There was no trace of confusion, or even of consciousness in his manner,
and, once again, Edith reproached herself for her foolishness.

[Sidenote: "Don't Leave Me Alone"]

Dinner was cheerful, though not lively. Once or twice, Edith caught
Alden looking at her with a strange expression on his face. Madame
chattered on happily, of the vineyard and the garden and the small
household affairs that occupied her attention.

Afterward, Alden read the paper and the other two played cribbag