Such a question was capable of occupying this young man's mind for a considerable time.

At last, however, he became--comparatively speaking--reckless; he cared little what promises he might break.

The fate to which he had threatened to abandon the damsel in pink proved to be none so terrible; for Pansy Osmond, who had given him the tea for his companion--Pansy was as fond as ever of making tea--presently came and talked to her.

Into this mild colloquy Edward Rosier entered little; he sat by moodily, watching his small sweetheart.

If we look at her now through his eyes we shall at first not see much to remind us of the obedient little girl who, at Florence, three years before, was sent to walk short distances in the Cascine while her father and Miss Archer talked together of matters sacred to elder people.