CHAPTER XXXIV.
OUR VISIT TO THE OLD MANSION.
Mrs. Dennison came in airy and graceful as usual; I noticed that she had changed her dress. She kissed Jessie with as much affection as if she had not seen her for a week, and began discoursing with great volubility.
"I was up before either of you," she said; "I have been out in the garden, ruining my white dress, and racing among the beds, to the great astonishment of the old gardener."
"You look fresh and charming as the roses themselves," Jessie replied.
"Of course. But don't pay compliments; Miss Hyde does not like them."
"If they are sincere, I do," I said.
"Ah! then you must like mine. Indeed, I should be afraid to tell you a story; I am certain those honest eyes of yours would detect it at once."
I disclaimed any such extraordinary powers for my poor eyes, and the widow rattled on about something else. She always went from one subject to another in a rapid, graceful way, like a bird flying about in the trees.
"Why, where is Mr. Lee?" she asked.
"Gone out," said Jessie; "he went early."