"You are a very good child, but I will not tax you. Good morning! I must be off," said Mr. Rockharrt, shaking hands with Rose, and then hurrying out to get into his carriage.
Rose stood in the door looking after him, until the brougham rolled away out of sight.
At luncheon Rose Stillwater seemed so determined to be pleasant that it was next to impossible for Cora Rothsay to keep up the formal demeanor she had laid out for herself.
"It is very lonely for you here, my dear. How soon does your grandfather usually return? I know he must have been later than usual last night, because he had to go to the depot to meet me," Rose said.
"Mr. Rockharrt usually returns at six o'clock. We have dinner at half-past," replied Cora.
"And this is two! Four hours and a half yet!"
"The afternoon is very fine. Will you take a walk with me in the garden?" inquired Cora, as they left the dining room, feeling some compunction for the persistent coldness with which she had treated her most gentle and obliging guest.
"Oh, thank you very much, dear. With the greatest pleasure! It will be just like old times, when we used to walk in the garden together, you a little child holding on to my hand. And now—But we won't talk of that," said Rose.
And she fled up stairs to get her hat and shawl.
And the two women sauntered for half an hour among the early roses and spring flowers in the beautiful Rockhold garden.