“And yet it is very plain that you haven’t moped during my absence; have you now, little one?”
“Oh, no indeed, Alick; I have been so cheerfully busy fixing up the place against you should come. The house looks so fresh and pretty in its spring dress, Alick dear, I am sure you will enjoy it.”
“Not fresher or prettier than the house’s mistress, and I’m sure I shall like both,” he said.
“Shall you, Alick? Are you sure that I shall be able to please you?”
“It will be my fault if you are not.”
“Now that the winter is over and the summer at hand, it will be pleasanter here in the country, Alick. And the grounds around this little place can be made very beautiful. Don’t you think so?”
“Yes, little Drusa. And I intend to spare neither trouble nor expense in making this little estate a paradise for my peri. An ideal spot it shall be; everything shall be arranged according to your taste. The woods, since you love them, shall environ the ornamented grounds.”
“Oh, Alick, dear! how good you are to me! But don’t sacrifice utility to beauty for my sake, Alick.”
“Ah, Drusa! I would sacrifice a much greater thing for your sake,” he said, with a very deep sigh.
She looked up at him suddenly.