But Graeme did not come alone. The little Groves came with her, and Will and Charlie followed, a rather noisy party. The little girls were delighted, and danced about, exclaiming at the beauty of the flowery crowns; and in a little, Miss Victoria was wearing that of Rose, and imitating the airs and graces of her elder sister in a way that must have encouraged her mother’s hopes as to her ultimate success in life. The other begged piteously for Fanny’s, but she was too well aware of its charming effect on her own head to yield at once to her entreaties, and, in the midst of the laughing confusion that accompanied the carrying of the child’s point, Graeme and Mrs Snow, who confessed herself a little tired after her walk, entered the summer-house again. Mrs Grove and Mr Proudfute entered with them, and the others disposed, themselves in groups about the door. Mr Green stood leaning on the door-post looking in upon them.
“Miss Elliott,” said Mr Proudfute, presently, “what has become of you for a long time? I have hardly seen you for years—for a year at least—and we used to meet so often.” Graeme laughed.
“I have seen you a great many times within a year. I am afraid my society doesn’t make the impression on you it ought. Have you forgotten your New Year’s visit, and a visit or two besides, to say nothing of chance meetings in the street and in the market?”
“Oh, but excuse me. I mean we have not met in society. You have been making a hermit of yourself, which is not very kind or very complimentary to your friends, I assure you.”
“I am very glad to hear you say so,” exclaimed Mrs Grove. “That is a subject on which Miss Elliott and I never agree—I mean the claims society has upon her. If she makes a hermit of herself, I assure you she is not permitted to do so without remonstrance.”
“Your ideas of a hermit’s life differ from those generally held,” said Graeme, vexed at the personal turn of the conversation, and more vexed still with Mrs Grove’s interference. “What does the ballad say?
“‘A scrip with fruits and herbs well stored,
And water from the spring.’
“I am afraid a hermit’s life would not suit me.”
“Oh! of course, we are speaking of comparative seclusion,” said Mrs Grove. “Still, as ladies are supposed to have a fancy for going to extremes, Miss Elliott’s taste for quietness is the most desirable extreme of the two.”
The remark was addressed to Mr Green, who was an interested listener, but Mr Proudfute answered it.