Then she went down stairs to see if the drawing-room was made comfortable for the evening. She found that Leo had done his duty in the matter. The fire in the grate was burning brightly; the hearth was shining clearly; the deep sofa was drawn up on one side of the chimney, and the easy chair on the other, and the round table was placed between them. The front blinds were left as usual unclosed until the master’s return; but the crimson curtains were drawn before the windows. The chandelier was lighted, and its rays were reflected back by the pictured walls, the gilded mirrors and the glowing draperies of the room, so that the little retreat looked very cozy and home-like.
“Yes, this is all very well; but there are no flowers,” said this loving little wife; (for wife we must call her, notwithstanding Mr. Alick’s discovery;) and she went into her small conservatory and cut a few fragrant tea roses and lemon geraniums, and arranged them in a beautiful group, and placed them in a vase, and set them on the round table.
And then she opened her piano and selected from her music some of her husband’s favorite pieces, and laid them in readiness.
“He is so fond of music, and he likes my voice and touch, and yet he so seldom hears me sing or play now. Perhaps he will to-night, though,” she said, as she sat down to try the tone of her long neglected instrument.
She had taken no food since morning, for in fact, her long sleep had kept her from feeling the want of it; but soon she felt faint from hunger, and she got up to ring the bell for a cup of tea.
But Pina, who had not forgotten her mistress’s needs, was even now on her way to the drawing-room with the tea tray.
She brought it in and sat it down on the table, and stood waiting orders.
“Did your master say he would be home to dinner, Pina?” the little lady asked.
“No, ma’am; he said ‘very early’ to me. And when Leo asked him if dinner should be prepared for him, he said ‘no,’ and that he should ‘be home to an early tea,’” the girl replied.
“Then, here; I will only take half a cup of that oolong and half a biscuit to keep me up till he comes, for I wish to take tea with him this evening,” said the little wife, as she hastily took the bit and sup she spoke of.