A WEEK or two passed away. The gentleman did not take the house at Hampstead, and Christina did.
Old Mrs. Fenton consulted "her Father," as she said, and decided to come and make her home in the gardener's cottage, bringing with her her little stock of furniture, her plants, and her washing paraphernalia.
She was soon settled into her tiny home, and after a few days, felt as if she had lived there for years. Her own fender, table, old-fashioned chest of drawers, cuckoo-clock, etc., made her feel homelike at once; and she trusted she had come to a right decision.
One day before Christina left Gower Street, she privately asked Nellie if she could be spared to help her arrange her house; but Nellie answered that it would be impossible, and begged her not to put the question to her mamma. "She would do anything to give me pleasure, and I would not have her asked on any account."
"If you really feel so, Nellie, I shall ask Ada; for I believe it would be an interest for her; only, you know, dear, you are my friend."
Nellie smiled gratefully. "No one could be more pleased," she said, and then blushing deeply, she added softly, "Some day we may perhaps be more than friends."
"Hush!" said Christina, putting her hand in front of Nellie's mouth. "I can't have that spoken of."
"We never have mentioned it," answered Nellie, looking up to see if Christina were displeased; "but I should like to tell you once how happy it would make me."
"Dear Nellie, I know; but it would not make you happy unless I could with all my heart?"
"Oh, no!" said Nellie, looking down.