The sun was shining with a more genial splendor; the air was soft and warm; the ground was quickening with the springing grass and the trees with the rising sap and budding leaves. Birds were building their nests. All things inspired thoughts of renovation.
Little Drusilla resolved to refresh her pretty wildwood home with a spring cleaning, so that it might possess new attractions for its truant master, when he should please to return.
Not that her house required this—for it was already as clean and sweet as it was possible for any dwelling to be; and the process to which she subjected it was but the washing of what was already pure, and the polishing of what was already bright. But it was her maxim, as it had been her mother’s before her, that things should not be permitted to become soiled before they were cleaned; but that they should be kept clean.
In the course of this work Drusilla opened the drawer of the looking-glass in Alexander’s dressing-room, and while putting its contents in order she found that little piece of paper which had produced so strange an effect upon his feelings and actions. Thinking it to be only some little receipt, or memorandum, she opened it and read it.
Its effect upon her was very different from what it had been upon her husband. As she gathered its meaning her face softened with a sweet and tender smile, and she sat down in a chair to contemplate it at more leisure.
“I never saw this before; or any other of the sort. How it brings back that day! that happy wedding-day! the happiest of my life! Dear Alick! dear, dear Alick, how blest you made me that day, in making me your own forever! forever and ever, my love! My joy seemed too much for earth, too much to be real. Even now, even now, I can scarcely realize how happy I am and ought to be! Oh, my love! my love! I hope I may never give you an uneasy moment as long as I live in this world! that I may never cease to please and serve you all my days! Dear little token!” she said, fondly gazing on that fatal piece of paper—“I will keep you for his sake. When I am sad and lonely I will look at you. I will cherish you like my wedding-ring.”
And she went directly and made a little silk bag, put the paper in it, attached it to a ribbon, hung it around her neck and hid it in her bosom.
Then smilingly she resumed her work.
When she considered the house thoroughly cleansed and worthy of its summer hangings, she told Pina that crimson satin curtains should not be put up again until autumn.
And she ordered Leo to put the horses into the carriage to take her to town.