"Shall I have the pleasure, some day, of discovering your uncommon signature in the secular corner of some religious newspaper?"
"I hope not," said Fleda, quietly.
Joe Manton just then brought in a bouquet for Miss Evelyn, a very common enlivener of the breakfast-table, all the more when, as in the present case, the sisters could not divine where it came from. It moved Fleda's wonder to see how very little the flowers were valued for their own sake; the probable cost, the probable giver, the probable éclat, were points enthusiastically discussed and thoroughly appreciated; but the sweet messengers themselves were carelessly set by for other eyes, and seemed to have no attraction for those they were destined to. Fleda enjoyed them at a distance, and could not help thinking that Heaven sends almonds to those that have no teeth.
"This camellia will just do for my hair to-morrow night!" said
Florence; "just what I want with my white muslin."
"I think I will go with you to-morrow, Florence," said Fleda;
"Mrs. Decatur has asked me so often."
"Well, my dear, I shall be made happy by your company," said Florence abstractedly, examining her bouquet. "I am afraid it hasn't stem enough, Constance; never mind I'll fix it where is the end of this myrtle? I shall be very glad, of course, Fleda, my dear, but" picking her bouquet to pieces "I think it right to tell you, privately, I am afraid you will find it very stupid."
"Oh, I dare say she will not," said Mrs. Evelyn; "she can go and try, at any rate; she would find it very stupid with me here alone, and Constance at the concert; I dare say she will find some one there whom she knows."
"But the thing is, Mamma, you see, at these conversaziones they never talk anything but French and German I don't know of course I should be delighted to have Fleda with me, and I have no doubt Mrs. Decatur would be very glad to have her; but I am afraid she wont enjoy herself."
"I do not want to go where I shall not enjoy myself," said
Fleda, quietly; "that is certain."
"Of course, you know, dear, I would a great deal rather have you than not; I only speak for what I think would be for your pleasure."