“On revient, on revient toujours, A ses premiers amours.”

But as soon as he was aware of what he was doing, he cleared away the remnants of the song into a cough, which was sonorous, if not perfectly real.

CHAPTER XXI

MR. FARQUHAR’S ATTENTIONS TRANSFERRED

The next morning, as Jemima and her mother sat at their work, it came into the head of the former to remember her father’s very marked way of thanking Ruth the evening before.

“What a favourite Mrs. Denbigh is with papa!” said she.  “I am sure I don’t wonder at it.  Did you notice, mamma, how he thanked her for coming here last night?”

“Yes, dear; but I don’t think it was all——­” Mrs. Bradshaw stopped short.  She was never certain if it was right or wrong to say anything.

“Not all what?” asked Jemima, when she saw her mother was not going to finish the sentence.

“Not all because Mrs. Denbigh came to tea here,” replied Mrs. Bradshaw.

“Why, what else could he be thanking her for?  What has she done?” asked Jemima, stimulated to curiosity by her mother’s hesitating manner.

“I don’t know if I ought to tell you,” said Mrs. Bradshaw.

“Oh, very well!” said Jemima, rather annoyed.

“Nay, dear! your papa never said I was not to tell; perhaps I may.”

“Never mind; I don’t want to hear,” in a piqued tone.

There was silence for a little while.  Jemima was trying to think of something else, but her thoughts would revert to the wonder what Mrs. Denbigh could have done for her father.

“I think I may tell you, though,” said Mrs. Bradshaw, half questioning.  Jemima had the honour not to urge any confidence, but she was too curious to take any active step towards repressing it.

Mrs. Bradshaw went on—­“I think you deserve to know.  It is partly your doing that papa is so pleased with Mrs. Denbigh.  He is going to buy her a silk gown this morning, and I think you ought to know why.”

“Why?” asked Jemima.

“Because papa is so pleased to find that you mind what she says.”

“I mind what she says!  To be sure I do, and always did.  But why should papa give her a gown for that?  I think he ought to give it me rather,” said Jemima, half laughing.

“I am sure he would, dear; he will give you one, I am certain, if you want one.  He was so pleased to see you like your old self to Mr. Farquhar last night.  We neither of us could think what had come over you this last month; but now all seems right.”

A dark cloud came over Jemima’s face.  She did not like this close observation and constant comment upon her manners; and what had Ruth to do with it?

“I am glad you were pleased,” said she, very coldly.  Then, after a pause, she added, “But you have not told me what Mrs. Denbigh had to do with my good behaviour.”