A Red Wallflower

He thought little of anybody; he was not at a sentimental age, nor at all of a sentimental disposition, and he had enough else to occupy him. It was not till he had put the college

ds for months of neglect. Her delicate, tender, faithful image seemed to stand before him;-forgetfulness would never be charged upon Esther, nor carelessness of anything she ought to care for;-of that he was sure. He was quite ashamed of himself, that he had sent her never a little token of remembrance in all this time. He recalled the girl's eagerness in study, her delight in learning, her modest, well-bred manner; her evident though unconscious loving devotion to himself, a

was waiting. The mother and father were sitting at the two sides of the fireplace, busy with keeping up the fire to an unmaintainable standard of brilliancy, and looking at the clock; now and then exchanging a remark about the weather, the way, the distance, an

y, how lat

, mother; j

cold ride,

rder; smooth as a plank floor; came along s

t, till you ge

eens, never fear; an

ere the supper table stood ready, and all eyes could me

said Mrs. Dallas,

ldn't I l

' suggested

young man, drawing a chair comfortably in front of the fire; while Mrs. Dallas rang for supper and gave orders, and then sat down to gaze

l right,

father contentedly. '

s,

of ever

e young man, a litt

rubbing his hands; 'I thought I

d the mother, with a careful eye of exa

e to her. 'I tell you I never

t, do you

what,

and the people?-the stud

prehensive question! You expect

do you like

something of a variety of material, don't you see? The people are all

one into so

Had something

ontentedly. 'When a man has the money you'll ha

rts,' sa

sor

iety, I should say, that ma

e's nothing but money that will buy bread and butter; and they all want bread and bu

it; but what has that

the other, with an unctu

Dallas. 'Now, Pitt, turn your chair round,-here's

or the spirits of them all were in a very gay and Christmas mood. So it was with a good deal of surpr

are not g

r, for a li

an you b

Colonel Gainsborough'

gh! You don't want

e without it; but there's somebody else there tha

d can wait till morning, surely; and I want

me again,' said Pitt, laughing. 'I am just going to st

e door closed behind him. Mrs. Dallas went back

her husband look up, 'there is no help for

at

o see that child. Off like the No

e never could be held.

re

see what h

N

to see th

and another to-mor

I tell you th

er of

you would

ngerously in love with children. A

a very remarkable-looking girl, I can tell you. And you must not forg

' said Mr. Dallas, strokin

. Men with heads are just as much fools, in

r child in England, if we

chwoman,' said Mrs. Dallas, with her h

e cold and darkness, the quarter of a mile to Colonel Gainsborough's house. There

ss Est

rker doubtfully, but she di

e her for

ut I suppose you can co

las, ai

beginning at once to throw off his greatcoat. 'In t

' year, sir, I make bold to imagine. He has a headache bad, that he h

ertain vague expectation of the delight his appearance would give, and was a

ing; but it was sober, steady business, not the absorption of happy interest or excitement. She looked up carelessly as the door opened, then half incredulously as she saw the entering figure, then she shut her book and rose to meet him. But then she did not show the lively pleasure

n Esther?' he said,

eserve and doubt in her manner; and the great grave eyes were lifted to his face

not glad

aid, with an

t glad to see me?' h

of course,' she said.

hing, but wholly determined not to be kept at a distance in this manner

t you

hat you didn't care a pin about.

ht the shimmer of something like moisture in the eyes, which

e said kindly. 'Take a

ee there is some talk

ir, and himself drew up another near. 'Now wha

I thought-perhaps-y

e you thi

he said, hesitating; 'y

did he

y I would never s

; welled up, and filled the eyes, and roll

to write to you? Had tha

word,' Esther confessed, with some hesitation and difficulty. Pitt was more touch

three things I want you to take note of. The fir

, considering him and t

are deceptive.

th

freque

ne to judg

, by your knowledge of

m, and a warmer shi

y to see much more of you-ever'-(Esther got the words out with some difficulty, without, however, b

much more of me?' Pitt

ld be go

ing back

to Englan

said

I think Mrs. Da

: 'I told you, in the first place, you are not to judge by appe

ch wistfulness in it; so much desire revealed to find him what she ha

think I am changeable; but anyhow, I haven't changed towards you. I have but just got home this evenin

: she was ple

expect you'll see an immense deal of me. I may go some time to England; about that I can't tell; but if I go, I shall come back again, supposing

er confidingly; 'for you know I ha

urd notion in your he

You look

is a S

nail in two, and smile as if it

there were an

won't do for you to

trying anythi

you trying

r hes

you; and so-I thought I had

ou suc

But-I suppose I

do you think in tha

'that is different. I th

us understand this matter. I do care, and I am going

enjoyments, careless and satisfied,-and this little girl alone at home with her cranky father, and no variety or change or outlook or help, struck him painfully. It would hardly have struck most young men; but Pitt, with all his r

you got there?'

Oh, the

ething beyond your com

r. 'What made yo

the thing for children

Reading about

er. I wasn't reading

e you aft

her slowly; 'and she used to say it w

o you want comfo

id, with a smile. 'I a

?' said he, taking her hand, and hol

to bed, and I was alone-and

me to-morrow after

lush of delight coming into eyes and cheek

t unless you came. And then yo

t ro

w, what have you been doin

ar all that Pitt would tell her about his life and doings at college; and, nothing loath, Pitt gave it her. It interested him to watch the play of thought and inter

to study hard

One must study hard

be distinguish

hink? Do you c

e,' said Es

not anxiou

Papa said you would be sur

much obliged to Col

at

his good

help his opinio

People sometimes hold opinions they have no business to hold, a

shades of sympathy, and a slight colour of interest and pleasure had risen in the cheeks. If Pitt had vanity to gratify, it was gratified; but he had something better, he had a genuine kindness and liking for the little gi

er, it's y

what?' a

to bed,' said Esther,

rk

t woman say what you ar

some in

ikes me not to be up l

ith it? I think she want

me and attends to me

th

l is not here t

if I didn't go at the

tt

t. 'But this is what I call a very summary proceeding. Queen Esther, does your

ou. Good-night, Pitt. Yes