It seemed so _heavenly_ in the rose garden at Palstrey to-day, to walk about among those thousands of blooming lovely things breathing scent and nodding their heavy, darling heads." "The roads are in a beautiful condition for riding," Hester said, "and Alec says that Faustine is perfect.

You ought to begin to-morrow morning.

Shall you ?" She spoke the words somewhat slowly, and her face did not look happy.
But, then, it never was a really happy face.

The days of her youth had been too full of the ironies of disappointment.
There was a second's silence, and then she said again: "Shall you, if it continues fine ?" Emily's hands were full of roses, both hands, and Hester saw both hands and roses tremble.

She turned round slowly and came towards her.