rated; "it has made your face a
little white. Do come into the garden awhile."

"She does look badly," said Mrs. Dale from the top of the steps,
contemplating her niece critically. "I declare it puts me out of all
patience with her, to see her fretting in this way."

Mrs. Dale was experiencing that curious indignation at a friend's
suffering which expends itself upon the friend; in reality her heart was
very tender towards her niece. "She misses the Forsythes," Mrs. Dale
continued. "She's been so occupied with Arabella Forsythe since the
accident, she feels as if she had nothing to do."

There was no lack of color in Lois's face now, which did not escape
Gifford's eye.

"Go, now, and walk with Gifford," said Mrs. Dale coaxingly, as though she
were speaking to a child.

Lois shook her head, without looking at him. "I don't believe I will, if
you don't mind."

But Mrs. Dale was not satisfied. "Oh, yes, you'd better go. You've
neglected the flowers dreadfully, I don't know how long it is since your
father has had any fresh roses in the library."

"I'll get the garden scissors," Gifford pleaded; "it won't take long just
to cut some roses."

"Well," Lois said languidly.

Gifford went through the wide cool hall for the shears and the basket of
scented grass for the posies; he knew the rectory as well as his own
home. Mrs. Dale had followed him, and in the shadowy back hall she gave
him a significant look.

"That's right, cheer her up. Of course she feels their going very much.
I must say, it does not show much consideration on the part of the young
man to leave her at such a time,--I don't care what the business is that
calls him away! Still, I can't say that I'm surprised. I never did like
that Dick, and I have always been afraid Lois would care for him."

"I think it is a great misfortune," Gifford said gravely.

"Oh, well, I don't know," demurred Mrs. Dale. "It is an excellent match;
and his carelessness now--well, it is only to be expected from a young
man who would carry his mother off from--from our care, to be looked
after by a hired nurse. He thought," said Mrs. Dale, bridling her head
and pursing up her lips, "that a lot of 'fussy old women' couldn't take
care of her. Still, it will be a good marriage for Lois. I'm bound to say
that, though I have never liked him."

The young people did not talk much as they went down into the garden.
Lois pointed out what roses Gifford might cut, and, taking them fro