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attracting notice； that he hardly saw or listened till Dr。 May began
to admire a fine Claude on the opposite wall； and embarked in a
picture discussion。 The doctor had much taste for art； and had made
the most of his opportunities of seeing paintings during his time of
study at Paris； and in a brief tour to Italy。 Since that time； few
good pictures had come in his way； and these were a great pleasure to
him； while Mr。 Rivers； a regular connoisseur； was delighted to meet
with one who could so well appreciate them。 Norman perceived how his
father was enjoying the conversation； and was much interested both by
the sight of the first fine paintings he had ever seen； and by the
talk about their merits； but the living things in the room had more
of his attention and observation； especially the young lady who sat
at the head of the table； a girl about his own age； she was on a very
small scale； and seemed to him like a fairy； in the airy lightness
and grace of her movements； and the blithe gladsomeness of her
gestures and countenance。 Form and features； though perfectly
healthful and brisk； had the peculiar finish and delicacy of a
miniature painting； and were enhanced by the sunny glance of her dark
soft smiling eyes。 Her hair was in black silky braids； and her
dress； with its gaiety of well…assorted colour； was positively
refreshing to his eye； so long accustomed to the deep mourning of his
sisters。 A little Italian greyhound； perfectly white； was at her
side； making infinite variations of the line of beauty and grace；
with its elegant outline； and S…like tail； as it raised its slender
nose in hopes of a fragment of bread which she from time to time
dispensed to it。
Luncheon over； Mr。 Rivers asked Dr。 May to step into his library； and
Norman guessed that they had been talking all this time； and had
never come to the medical opinion。 However； a good meal and a large
fire made a great difference in his toleration； and it was so new a
scene； that he had no objection to a prolonged waiting； especially
when Mrs。 Larpent said； in a very pleasant tone； 〃Will you come into
the drawing…room with us？〃
He felt somewhat as if he was walking in enchanted ground as he
followed her into the large room； the windows opening into the
conservatory； the whole air fragrant with flowers； the furniture and
ornaments so exquisite of their kind； and all such a fit scene for
the beautiful little damsel； who； with her slender dog by her side；
tripped on demurely； and rather shyly； but with a certain skipping
lightness in her step。 A very tall overgrown schoolboy did Norman
feel himself for one bashful moment； when he found himself alone with
the two ladies； but he was ready to be set at ease by Mrs。 Larpent's
good…natured manner； when she said something of Rollo's discourtesy。
He smiled； and answered that he had made great friends with the fine
old dog； and spoke of his running off to the dinner； at which little
Miss Rivers laughed； and looked delighted； and began to tell of
Rollo's perfections and intelligence。 Norman ventured to inquire the
name of the little Italian； and was told it was Nipen； because it had
once stolen a cake； much like the wind…spirit in Feats on the Fiord。
Its beauty and tricks were duly displayed； and a most beautiful
Australian parrot was exhibited； Mrs。 Larpent taking full interest in
the talk； in so lively and gentle a manner； and she and her pretty
pupil evidently on such sister…like terms； that Norman could hardly
believe her to be the governess； when he thought of Miss Winter。
Miss Rivers took up some brown leaves which she was cutting out with
scissors； and shaping。 〃Our holiday work；〃 said Mrs。 Larpent； in
answer to the inquiring look of Norman's eyes。 〃Meta has been making
a drawing for her papa； and is framing it in leather…work。 Have you
ever seen any？〃
〃Never！〃 and Norman looked eagerly； asking questions； and watching
while Miss Rivers cut out her ivy leaf and marked its veins； and
showed how she copied it from nature。 He thanked her； saying； 〃I
wanted to learn all about it； for I thought it would be such nice
work for my eldest sister。〃
A glance of earnest interest from little Meta's bright eyes at her
governess； and Mrs。 Larpent； in a kind； soft tone that quite gained
his heart； asked； 〃Is she the invalid？〃
〃Yes；〃 said Norman。 〃New fancy work is a great gain to her。〃
Mrs。 Larpent's sympathetic questions； and Meta's softening eyes；
gradually drew from him a great deal about Margaret's helpless state；
and her patience； and capabilities； and how every one came to her
with all their cares； and Norman； as he spoke； mentally contrasted
the life； untouched by trouble and care； led by the fair girl before
him； with that atmosphere of constant petty anxieties round her
namesake's couch； at years so nearly the same。
〃How very good she must be；〃 said little Meta； quickly and softly；
and a tear was sparkling on her eyelashes。
〃She is indeed；〃 said Norman earnestly。 〃I don't know what papa
would do but for her。〃
Mrs。 Larpent asked kind questions whether his father's arm was very
painful； and the hopes of its cure； and he felt as if she was a great
friend already。 Thence they came to books。 Norman had not read for
months past； but it happened that Meta was just now reading
Woodstock； with which he was of course familiar； and both grew eager
in discussing that and several others。 Of one； Meta spoke in such
terms of delight； that Norman thought it had been very stupid of him
to let it lie on the table for the last fortnight without looking
into it。
He was almost sorry to see his father and Mr。 Rivers come in； and
hear the carriage ordered； but they were not off yet； though the rain
was now only Scotch mist。 Mr。 Rivers had his most choice little
pictures still to display； his beautiful early Italian masters；
finished like illuminations； and over these there was much lingering
and admiring。 Meta had whispered something to her governess； who
smiled； and advanced to Norman。 〃Meta wishes to know if your sister
would like to have a few flowers？〃 said she。
No sooner said than done； the door into the conservatory was opened；
and Meta； cutting sprays of beautiful geranium； delicious heliotrope；
fragrant calycanthus； deep blue tree violet； and exquisite hothouse
ferns； perfect wonders to Norman； who； at each addition to the
bouquet； exclaimed by turns； 〃Oh； thank you！〃 and； 〃How she will like
it！〃
Her father reached a magnolia blossom from on high； and the quick
warm grateful emotion trembled in Dr。 May's features and voice； as he
said； 〃It is very kind in you； you have given my poor girl a great
treat。 Thank you with all my heart。〃
Margaret Rivers cast down her eyes； half smiled； and shrank back；
thinking she had never felt anything like the left…handed grasp； so
full of warmth and thankfulness。 It gave her confidence to venture
on the one question on which she was bent。 Her father was in the
hall； showing Norman his Greek nymph； and lifting her eyes to Dr。
May's face； then casting them down； she coloured deeper than ever； as
she said； in a stammering whisper； 〃Oh； pleaseif you would tell