"Yes,—" said Rotha slowly—"I see."
"How would you furnish a house, on this principle?" Mr. Southwode went on.
"A house?" Rotha repeated.
"Yes. Suppose the old house at Southwode was to be refurnished; how should we do it? I would like to have everything there please you."
"But on your principle," said Rotha, colouring beautifully, though she laughed, "you would not arrange it to please me at all."
"If my principle were your principle?"—he said with a flash in his eye which was part pleasure and part amusement.
"I never considered the subject," she said shyly.
"Well let us consider it. What are the points to be principally regarded, in furnishing a house?"
Rotha pondered, a good deal amused; this whole discussion was so novel to her. "I suppose," she said, "one ought to aim at a good appearance— according to one's means,—and the comfort of the family that are to live in the house,—and prettiness,—and pleasantness."
"And the Lord's service?"