"Do not do that," said Amy hastily; "give it to me, and I will place it with the other flowers in my bouquet."
"But those flowers are for some one else, not for yourself. You said so; and I gathered this for you. Will you not have it?"
"You have no right to offer it," replied Amy, determined not to be conciliated, "and I will only accept it on the terms I have said; if you will pull it to pieces I cannot help it."
"No. I have not the heart to kill it so soon; I will keep it for some other fair lady less obdurate," and he opened the door to allow of her passing out. "I suppose we are both going the same way," said he, overtaking her, notwithstanding she had hurried on.
"I am going home," replied Amy, now obliged to slacken her steps, and hardly knowing whether to feel angry or not.
"So am I; if by home you mean Brampton House. How cold it is! are you not very lightly clad for such inclement weather? The cold is intense."
"This shawl is warmer than it looks. We feel it cold just leaving the conservatory; it was so very warm there."
"True; but we shall soon get not only warm, but out of breath if we hurry on at this pace."
Amy smiled, and slackened her steps again. She felt she had been hurrying on very fast.