"Oh no," said Cecil; "we mean to do it all ourselves. The gentlemen may help us if they like—those, at least, who prefer our society to that of smaller animals, with lop-ears and little bushy tails, who have a fascination superior sometimes to any of our attractions." She flashed a glance at the Colonel, who was watching her over the top of Punch, as, when I was a boy, I have watched the sun, though it pained my eyes to do it. "You're the grand seigneur of Deerhurst," said Cecil, turning to him; "will you be good, and order cart-loads of holly and evergreens (and plenty of the Portugal laurel, please, because it's so pretty) down to the church; and will you come and do all the hard work for me? The rabbits would so enjoy a little peace to-day, poor things!"
He smiled in spite of himself, and did her bidding, with a flush of pleasure on his face. I believe at that moment, to please her, he would have cut down the best timber on the estates—even the old oaks, in whose shadow in the midsummer of centuries before Guy Vivian and Muriel had plighted their troth.
The way to the church was through a winding walk, between high walls of yew, and the sanctuary itself was a find old Norman place, whose tout ensemble I admired, though I could not pick it to pieces architecturally.
To the church we all went, of course, with more readiness than we probably ever did in our lives, regardless of the rose chains with which we were very likely to become entangled, while white hands weaved the holly wreaths.
Vivian had ordered evergreens enough to decorate fifty churches, and had sent over to the neighboring town for no end of ribbon emblazonments and illuminated scrolls, on which Cecil looked with delight. She seemed to know by instinct it was done for her, and not for his sisters.
"How kind that is of you," she said, softly. "That is like what you were in Toronto. Why are you not always the same?"
For a moment she saw passion enough in his eye to satisfy her, but he soon mastered it, and answered her courteously:
"I am very glad they please you. Shall we go to work at once, for fear it grow dusk before we get through with it?"
"Can I do anything to help you?" murmured Cos in her ear.
She did not want him, and laughed mischievously. "You can cut some holly if you like. Begin on those large boughs."