"My age, madam, is past that of giddy youth!" And then Rowena quitted the room, singing as she went:
"I have a smiling face, she said
I have a gist for all I meet,
I have a garland for my head,
And all its flowers are sweet—"
[CHAPTER II]
A NEW FRIEND
"Is not making others happy the best happiness?"
Amiel.
"MY dear Geraldine, what is the matter? Your face is a yard long. Have you had bad news?"
Mrs. Arbuthnot looked up from her letters and sighed.
She and Rowena were at breakfast. It was a lovely morning in June. The windows were open, a sweet brier bush outside was scenting the room with its fragrance.
"Madge is going to be married almost immediately."
"Three cheers for Madge! If I had a sister, and a sister who has been engaged for five years, I should be overjoyed at the event."