“Oh! she might look at him without doing herself any harm,” said Harry. “She might even indulge in a little innocent flirtation—”
“Harry,” said Fanny, solemnly, “if there is a word in the English language that Graeme hates it is that. Don’t say it again, I beg.”
Harry shrugged his shoulders. Graeme looked vexed and anxious.
“Miss Elliott,” said Charlie, rising, in some embarrassment, “I hope you don’t think me capable of discussing—or permitting—. I mean, in the letter to which Harry refers, your sister’s name was not mentioned. You have received a wrong impression. I am the last person in the world that would be likely to offend in that way.”
“Charlie, man! you are making much ado about nothing; and, Graeme, you are as bad. Of course, Rosie’s name was not mentioned; but I know quite well, and so do you, who ‘La belle Canadienne’ was. But no harm was meant, and none was done.”
“It would be rather a good joke if Rosie were to rule in the ‘Palatial Residence’ after all, wouldn’t it?” said Arthur, laughing.
“Arthur, don’t! It is not nice to have the child’s name coupled with—with any one,” said Graeme.
“It may not be nice, but it cannot be helped,” said Harry. “It is the penalty that very pretty girls, like Rose, have to pay for their beauty—especially when they are aware of it—as Rose has good right to be by this time. Small blame to her.”
“And I don’t see that there is really anything to be annoyed about, Graeme,” said Arthur. “A great deal more than the coupling of names might happen without Rosie being to blame, as no one should know better than you.”
“Of course. We are not speaking of blame, and we will say no more about it,” said Graeme, rising; and nothing more was said. By and by Harry and his friend and partner rose to go. They lived together, now, in the house behind the willow trees, which Rose had taken such pleasure in watching. It was a very agreeable place of residence still, though a less fashionable locality than it used to be; and they were fortunate enough to have the efficient and kindly Nelly as housekeeper, and general caretaker still, and she magnified her office.