"A caution! Fifty, if you like."
"Do not fall in love with Frederick St. John."
"Mary!"
"From the position in which you stand--engaged to another--it might lead to endless misery."
"There is no danger of it," returned Adeline, breathlessly. "If there were, do you suppose papa and mamma would suffer me to be with him? How could any such idea enter your head, Mary Carr? You are taking a leaf from Rose's book."
Papa and mamma! Truth was in her accent, but how little she understood.
"I am willing to believe that there is no danger," was Miss Carr's reply. "I hope you will be able so to speak when we next meet. Do not feel angry with me, Adeline. I have but your interest at heart."
Mr. St. John conducted Miss Carr to the carriage, and, in shaking hands, he jestingly begged her to give his love to Rose: they had talked much of her. As he stood there on the stone steps, bareheaded, until Mary should drive away, her last look lingered on him; and again that uneasy doubt shot through her mind--how impossible that Adeline should live in continual companionship with such a man, and not learn to love him!
Miss Carr was received by Madame de Nino with a scolding and a threat of punishment. She had exceeded her time of absence by a day. But Mary laid the blame upon Madame de Castella, and handed in a note of apology from that lady. Madame was only half soothed; but she graciously remitted the punishment.
Mary drew Rose Darling aside. "Won't you admire these lovely flowers? They were sent for you."