Mrs. Derrick came quick to her side, and kissed her and stroked her face. "Pretty child," she said, "so do you."
Which fact Faith confirmed by setting about the business of dressing with more energy and good will than she had for many a day brought to it. The pale cheeks were not quite so pale this morning. The white dress was tied round the waist with that blue ribband of long ago—never yet spoiled with wearing; and in it the roses and violets made a spot of warmer colour. When at last she was ready, and had stepped out into the hall, Mr. Linden met her there as he had done the night after the fire; and as then, stayed her for a minute and scanned her face: with a different look from then, with a different sort of gravity, which gladness did not quite cover up. He asked no questions but with his eyes, and did not say much but with his lips; then carried her down to the breakfast-room.
"Mignonette," he said, "what time to-day will it please you to take a drive?"
The pleasure of the idea brought the colour to Faith's cheeks. "I suppose I had better ask Dr. Harrison first whether I may go," she said gravely.
"Not at all. He has nothing whatever to say about it."
"Then as soon as he is gone, I am ready."
"We will not wait for him," said Mr. Linden.
"But Endy, later will do just as well, won't it?"
"No, love—not half so well."
"Why?"