The rose-leaf must fall,"—
She stopped her singing suddenly, left the veranda, and went into the house.
"Do you want anything?" said Clayton.
"Nothing," said she, hurriedly. "I'll be back in a moment."
Clayton watched, and saw her go to a closet in which the medicines and cordials were kept, and take something from a glass. He gave a start of alarm.
"You are not ill, are you?" he said, fearfully, as she returned.
"Oh, no; only a little faint. We have become so prudent, you know, that if we feel the least beginning of any disagreeable sensation, we take something at once. I have felt this faintness quite often. It isn't much."
Clayton put his arm around her, and looked at her with a vague yearning of fear and admiration.
"You look so like a spirit," he said, "that I must hold you."