V

Brevis and Adam appeared early next morning with their valentines and found Jenny half abashed in the middle of bouquets, verses, gifts of all kinds, according to the fashion of the day. Madam was very much pleased. She had expected it. She had expected this sudden bright thing, full of the passion of living, to be a new sensation. And Jenny was; and yet, Madam hoped, sufficiently Madam Comyn's granddaughter to command respectful handling.

"A nice wench," said Oliver, teasing her. "And twenty pink cupids with silver darts to tell her so…. Can you do as well as this one, Brevis?" He read aloud:

"Acrostic in admiration of Miss J—— C——

"Just one hair could bind my heart in chains,
Enchanting creature, so it was thine own.
Not roseate dawn excels the rose which stains
Naiad-like thy maiden cheek. Long Beauty's throne
Yawned desolate, waiting for thee alone!"

With all of them looking at her Jenny felt desperately shy and tried to hide it.

"Ma foi!" she cried. "Where would the gentleman be with Genevieve Elizabeth if his grammar and feet go astray over Jenny? 'Miles Comybeare, Lieutenant Second Battery.' Was he the one with no chin, Maria, or the one who trod on all our toes?"

"So that's the tone you're taking with your slaves?" said Brevis, laying his bouquet among the heap on the table.

"I never asked them to send me things," retorted Jenny, feeling herself going red.

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"Ask?" He came near with keen eyes half shut. "Didn't all you were and wore ask us last night? I think so."

Jenny's face burned. She was not at all sure that she liked Brevis. "If anyone thought so, c'est tant pis pour lui. Oh, Adam!" Adam's bouquet was in a holder of silver arabesque. Reluctantly Jenny took it out and gave the holder back. "It's lovely, but Grandma says I mustn't. There have been several things … I'm very grateful and apologetic, Adam."

Jenny being these things was delicious. Adam protested hotly, "Between old friends …" But Jenny took fright again: "Voilà pour l'histoire ancienne! … What are you laughing at, Uncle Noll?"

"Egad, he's a solemn noodle!" said Oliver. He read with mock heroics some verses which Adam privately considered very fine. "Who d'you think sent them, Jenny?"

"Mr. Paige," said Jenny, prompt and wicked.

Oliver opened his eyes. So little Miss was setting up to quiz Paige? This would never do. "Ah, yes. Where is Mr. Paige's acrostic?" he said.

"Did you think an acrostic would be learned enough for him? He sent a sonnet, no less, so full of dark erudition that I can't make head or tail of it."

"Humph!" said Oliver. And Madam, a little sharp, although amused, told her, "You let your tongue run away with you, petit oiseau."

"Yes, Grandmamma." Jenny felt suddenly meek. She gathered the bouquets, and stood with both arms spilling colour and fragrance and rosy cupids dangling at the ends of narrow bright ribbons. Above them her face glowed. "You see, this kind of thing don't happen to me every day," she appealed, abashed and laughing. Then she was gone like a sprite up the stair, with the faithful Maria after her.

"Youth triumphant," said Madam, with a sigh. And Oliver said, "Come down to the club, boys." Mahomet advises that the labourer be given his wage before his perspiration be dry, and Oliver very strongly felt the justice of that. For some months now Mr. Paige had exuded some elegant substitute for perspiration, and that the wage might be given to one of these dapper page 195and hessianed young bucks who were but yesterday in the cradle was unthinkable.

Oliver wished he knew the extent of Jenny's feelings. But Jenny herself did not know. Up in the chintz room smelling of roses Maria was accusing her: "Jenny, you sly wretch, I believe you don't care for Mr. Paige at all."

Excited Jenny began a flippant reply, felt her whole body protest in a sudden crimson flush, laughed uncertainly, and ran to the window.

"Do you?" asked Maria, following and putting both arms round her.

"I don't know," whispered Jenny, honest and humble. She turned and hid her face in Maria's ample breast. "Darling, how can one tell?"

They hugged each other, innocently in love with Love, whatever his name or form.