ous climes are around and about you. Buried cities are exhumed at
your bidding, and their dim palaces glitter once more with burning gold.
And here, above all the Eleusinian mysteries of the human heart are laid
bare, without the necessity of revealing your own. But I am detaining
you too long. Your languid blossoms reproach me. When you come here
again, do not forget that we have here thought and felt in unison."

Just as he was leaving the library, Mrs. Linwood entered. She started on
seeing him, and her eye rested on me with an anxious, troubled look.

"You are become an early riser, my son," she said.

"You encourage so excellent a habit, do you not, my mother?"

"Certainly; but it seems to me a walk in the fresh morning air would be
more health-giving than a seat within walls, damp with the mould of
antiquity."

"We have brought the dewy morning within doors," said he; while I,
gathering flowers, basket, and hat, waited for Mrs. Linwood to move,
that I might leave the room. She stood between me and the threshold, and
for the first time I noticed in her face a resemblance to her son. It
might be because a slight cloud rested on her brow.

"You will not have time to arrange your flowers this morning," she
gravely observed to me. "It is almost the breakfast hour, and you are
still in your garden costume."

My eyes bowed beneath her mildly rebuking glance, and the fear of her
displeasure chilled the warm rapture which had left its glow upon my
cheek.

"Let me assist you," he cried, in an animated tone. "It was I who
encroached on your time, and must bear the blame, if blame indeed there
be. There is a homely proverb, that 'many hands make light work.' Come,
let us prove its truth."

I thought Mrs. Linwood sighed, as he followed me into the drawing-room,
and with quick, graceful fingers, made ample amends for the negligence
be had caused. His light, careless manner restored me to ease, and at
breakfast Mrs. Linwood's countenance wore its usual expression of calm
benevolence.

Had I done wrong? I had sought no clandestine interview. Why should I?
It was foolish to wish to look at the beautiful flower girl; but it was
a natural, innocent wish, born of something purer and better than vanity
and self-love.

CHAPTER XIX.

I lingered after school was dismissed, to ask permission of Mr. Regulus
to attend the commencement. It was Mrs. Linwood's wish, and of course a
law to me.

"Will you release me one