"Exactly. I infinitely prefer a well-waxed floor to a lawn, however well mown and rolled. But concerning your--what shall I term it--sadness!"
"Why ask me when you may divine the cause, though I dare not explain--here at least?"
After a little pause she disengaged two flowers from her bouquet, and presenting them to me with an arch and enchanting smile--for when beyond her mother's ken, she could at times be perfectly natural--she said,
"At this floral fête champêtre, I cannot permit you to be the only undecorated man."
"Being in uniform, I never thought of such an ornament."
"Wear these, then," said she, placing them in a button-hole.
"As your gift and for your sake?"
"If you choose, do so."
"Ah, who would not but choose?" said I, rendered quite bright and gay even by such a trifle as this. "But Lady Estelle, do you know what these are emblematic of?"
"In the language of the flowers, do you mean?"