Then she went slowly away to dress, and chose, somewhat to Jean’s surprise, one of the simplest evening frocks she possessed. Jean, knowing the tall, beautiful new friend was coming to dinner, had laid out an elaborate dinner-dress, and arranged the jewel cases for selection.
“Put them away at once,” was all her mistress said, with one sweeping glance round. “I shall wear that little blue Liberty gown and a single row of pearls.”
When Alymer came he found her already seated by the fire, engaged with some knitting.
“How nice and homely,” he said. “I never associated you with anything so commonplace as sewing.”
“I’m afraid I can’t sew very well,” with a little smile. “I can knit this, and that is about all.”
“Are you better?” and he scanned her face critically, in an old-fashioned way that gave her secret joy.
“Yes, sir, thank you,” with a low laugh.
He laughed too, and took up his stand on the hearthrug, with his hands behind his back, in a natural, quite-at-home way, that seemed to come easily to him.
“How jolly it is to see a fire. My mater always seems afraid of beginning too soon. I think she has a sort of feeling that if winter sees fires started he will hurry.”
“I never leave them off. My fire is one of my staunchest companions. An empty grate always depresses me, because if it is sunny and hot I want to be out-of-doors, and if it is not, I want my fire. Let us go to dinner, then we can get back and purr over it to our hearts’ content.”