I cannot think Henrietta understood Ruskin, but I have no doubt she thought she did, and tried to share in her friend’s enthusiasm.  Sophie had a little headache, and spent much of the morning in her room.  The boys were away with their tutor in the farm-house where they had their school-room, and the house seemed deserted and delightful.  I wandered about at ease, chose my book, and sat for hours in the boat-house by the river, not reading Ruskin, nor even my poor little novel, but gazing and dreaming and wondering.  It can be imagined what the country seemed to me, in beautiful summer weather, after the dreary years I had spent in a city-street.

It is quite impossible to describe all that seemed starting into life within me, all at once—–­ so many new forces, so much new life.

My home-sickness had passed away, and I was inclined to be very happy, particularly in the liberty that seemed to promise.  Dinner was very quiet, and every one seemed dull, even Charlotte Benson, who ordinarily had life enough for all.  The boys were there, but their tutor had gone away on a long walk and would not be back till evening. “A la bonne heure,” cried Madame, with a little yawn; “freedom of the halls, and deshabille, for one afternoon.”

So we spent the afternoon with our doors open, and with books, or without books, on the bed.

Nobody came into my room, except Mrs. Hollenbeck for a few moments, looking very pretty in a white peignoir, and rather sleepy at the same time; hoping I was comfortable and had found something to amuse me in the library.

It seemed to be thought a great bore to dress, to judge from the exclamations of ennui which I heard in the hall, as six o’clock approached, and the young ladies wandered into each other’s room and bewailed the necessity.  I think Miss Leighton would have been very glad to have stayed on the bed, and tried to sleep away the hours that presented no amusement; but Charlotte Benson laughed at her so cruelly, that she began to dress at once, and said, she had not intended what she said, of course.

I was the first to be ready, and went down to the piazza.  The heat of the day was over and there was a soft, pleasant breeze.  We were to have tea at seven o’clock, and while I sat there, the bell rang.  The tutor came in from under the trees where he had been reading, looking rather pale after his long walk.

He bowed slightly as he passed me, and waited at the other end of the piazza, reading as he stood, till the others came down to the dining-room.  As we were seating ourselves he came in and took his place, with a bow to me and the others.  Mrs. Hollenbeck asked him a little about his expedition, and paid him a little more attention than usual, being the only man.

He had a most fortunate way of saying just the right thing and then being silent; never speaking unless addressed, and then conveying exactly the impression he desired.  I think he must have appeared in a more interesting light that usual at this meal, for as we went out from the dining room Mary Leighton put her arm through mine and whispered “Poor fellow!  How lonely he must be!  Let’s ask him to go and walk with us this evening.”