'But since you say
that I did not make you laugh--'
'O, Mr. St. Ives! never!' she exclaimed. 'Not for one moment. It
was all too sad. To see a gentleman --'
'In the clothes of a harlequin, and begging?' I suggested.
'To see a gentleman in distress, and nobly supporting it,' she
said.
'And do you not understand, my fair foe,' said I, 'that even if all
were as you say--even if you had thought my travesty were becoming-
-I should be only the more anxious, for my sake, for my country's
sake, and for the sake of your kindness, that you should see him
whom you have helped as God meant him to be seen? that you should
have something to remember him by at least more characteristic than
a misfitting sulphur-yellow suit, and half a week's beard?'
'You think a great deal too much of clothes,' she said. 'I am not
that kind of girl.'
'And I am afraid I am that kind of man,' said I. 'But do not think
of me too harshly for that. I talked just now of something to
remember by. I have many of them myself, of these beautiful
reminders, of these keepsakes, that I cannot be parted from until I
lose memory and life. Many of them are great things, many of them
are high virtues--charity, mercy, faith. But some of them are
trivial enough. Miss Flora, do you remember the day that I first
saw you, the day of the strong east wind? Miss Flora, shall I tell
you what you wore?'
We had both risen to our feet, and she had her hand already on the
door to go.
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