While the travellers refreshed, and Mrs President struggled into herbest gown, Josie ran into the garden to gather flowers for thebrides. The sudden arrival of these interesting beings had quiteenchanted the romantic girl, and her head was full of heroic rescues,tender admiration, dramatic situations, and feminine wonder as towhether the lovely creatures would wear their veils or not. She wasstanding before a great bush of white roses, culling the most perfectfor the bouquets which she meant to tie with the ribbon festoonedover her arm, and lay on the toilette tables of the new cousins, as adelicate attention. A step startled her, and looking up she saw herbrother coming down the path with folded arms, bent head, and theabsent air of one absorbed in deep thought.

'Sophy Wackles,' said the sharp child, with a superior smile, as shesucked her thumb just pricked by a too eager pull at the thornybranches.

'What are you at here, Mischief?' asked Demi, with an Irvingesquestart, as he felt rather than saw a disturbing influence in hisday-dream.

'Getting flowers for "our brides". Don't you wish you had one?'answered Josie, to whom the word 'mischief' suggested her favouriteamusement.

'A bride or a flower?' asked Demi calmly, though he eyed the bloomingbush as if it had a sudden and unusual interest for him.

'Both; you get the one, and I'll give you the other.'

'Wish I could!' and Demi picked a little bud, with a sigh that wentto Josie's warm heart.

'Why don't you, then? It's lovely to see people so happy. Now's agood time to do it if you ever mean to. She will be going away forever soon.'

'Who?' and Demi pulled a half-opened bud, with a sudden colour in hisown face; which sign of confusion delighted little Jo.

'Don't be a hypocrite. You know I mean Alice. Now, Jack, I'm fond ofyou, and want to help; it's so interesting - all these lovers andweddings and things, and we ought to have our share. So you take myadvice and speak up like a man, and make sure of Alice before shegoes.'

Demi laughed at the seriousness of the small girl's advice; but heliked it, and showed that it suited him by saying blandly, instead ofsnubbing her as usual:

'You are very kind, child. Since you are so wise, could you give me ahint how I'd better 'speak up', as you elegantly express it?'

'Oh, well, there are various ways, you know. In plays the lovers godown on their knees; but that's awkward when they have long legs.Ted never does it well, though I drill him for hours. You could say,"Be mine, be mine!" like the old man who threw cucumbers over thewall to Mrs Nickleby, if you want to be gay and easy; or you couldwrite a poetical pop. You've tried it, I dare say.'

'But seriously, Jo, I do love Alice, and I think she knows it. I wantto tell her so; but I lose my head when I try, and don't care to makea fool of myself. Thought you might suggest some pretty way; you readso much poetry and are so romantic.'

Demi tried to express himself clearly, but forgot his dignity and hisusual reserve in the sweet perplexity of his love, and asked hislittle sister to teach him how to put the question which a singleword can answer. The arrival of his happy cousins had scattered allhis wise plans and brave resolutions to wait still longer. TheChristmas play had given him courage to hope, and the oration todayhad filled him with tender pride; but the sight of those bloomingbrides and beaming grooms was too much for him, and he panted tosecure his Alice without an hour's delay. Daisy was his confidante inall things but this; a brotherly feeling of sympathy had kept himfrom telling her his hopes, because her own were forbidden. Hismother was rather jealous of any girl he admired; but knowing thatshe liked Alice, he loved on and enjoyed his secret alone, meaningsoon to tell her all about it.

Now suddenly Josie and the rose-bush seemed to suggest a speedy endto his tender perplexities; and he was moved to accept her aid as thenetted lion did that of the mouse.

'I think I'll write,' he was slowly beginning, after a pause duringwhich both were trying to strike out a new and brilliant idea.

'I've got it! perfectly lovely! just suit her, and you too, being apoet!' cried Josie, with a skip.

'What is it? Don't be ridiculous, please,' begged the bashful lover,eager, but afraid of this sharp-tongued bit of womanhood.

'I read in one of Miss Edgeworth's stories about a man who offersthree roses to his lady - a bud, a half-blown, and a full-blown rose.I don't remember which she took; but it's a pretty way; and Aliceknows about it because she was there when we read it. Here are allkinds; you've got the two buds, pick the sweetest rose you can find,and I'll tie them up and put them in her room. She is coming to dresswith Daisy, so I can do it nicely.'

Demi mused a moment with his eyes on the bridal bush, and a smilecame over his face so unlike any it had ever worn before, that Josiewas touched, and looked away as if she had no right to see the dawnof the great passion which, while it lasts, makes a young man ashappy as a god.

'Do it,' was all he said, and gathered a full-blown rose to finishhis floral love-message.

Charmed to have a finger in this romantic pie, Josie tied a gracefulbow of ribbon about the stems, and finished her last nosegay withmuch content, while Demi wrote upon a card:

DEAR ALICE, You know what the flowers mean. Will you wearone, or all tonight, and make me still prouder, fonder, andhappier than I am?

Yours entirely,

JOHN

Offering this to his sister, he said in a tone that made her feel thedeep importance of her mission:

'I trust you, Jo. This means everything to me. No jokes, dear, if youlove me.'

Josie's answer was a kiss that promised all things; and then she ranaway to do her 'gentle spiriting', like Ariel, leaving Demi to dreamamong the roses like Ferdinand.

Mary and Ludmilla were charmed with their bouquets; and the giver hadthe delight of putting some of the flowers into the dark hair and thelight as she played maid at the toilettes of 'our brides', whichconsoled her for a disappointment in the matter of veils.

No one helped Alice dress; for Daisy was in the next room with hermother; and not even their loving eyes saw the welcome which thelittle posy received, nor the tears and smiles and blushes that cameand went as she read the note and pondered what answer she shouldgive. There was no doubt about the one she wished to give; but dutyheld her back; for at home there was an invalid mother and an oldfather. She was needed there, with all the help she could now bringby the acquirements four years of faithful study had given her. Lovelooked very sweet, and a home of her own with John a little heaven onearth; but not yet. And she slowly laid away the full-blown rose asshe sat before the mirror, thinking over the great question of herlife.

Was it wise and kind to ask him to wait, to bind him by any promise,or even to put into words the love and honour she felt for him? No;it would be more generous to make the sacrifice alone, and spare himthe pain of hope deferred. He was young; he would forget; and shewould do her duty better, perhaps, if no impatient lover waited forher. With eyes that saw but dimly, and a hand that lingered on thestem he had stripped of thorns, she laid the half-blown flower by therose, and asked herself if even the little bud might be worn. Itlooked very poor and pale beside the others; yet being in theself-sacrificing mood which real love brings, she felt that even asmall hope was too much to give, if she could not follow it up withmore.

As she sat looking sadly down on the symbols of an affection thatgrew dearer every moment, she listened half unconsciously to themurmur of voices in the adjoining room. Open windows, thinpartitions, and the stillness of summer twilight made it impossibleto help hearing, and in a few moments more she could not refrain; forthey were talking of John.

'So nice of Ludmilla to bring us all bottles of real German cologne!Just what we need after this tiring day! Be sure John has his! Helikes it so!'

'Yes, mother. Did you see him jump up when Alice ended her oration?He'd have gone to her if I hadn't held him back. I don't wonder hewas pleased and proud. I spoilt my gloves clapping, and quite forgotmy dislike of seeing women on platforms, she was so earnest andunconscious and sweet after the first moment.'

'Has he said anything to you, dear?'

'No; and I guess why. The kind boy thinks it would make me unhappy.It wouldn't. But I know his ways; so I wait, and hope all will gowell with him.'

'It must. No girl in her senses would refuse our John, though heisn't rich, and never will be. Daisy, I've been longing to tell youwhat he did with his money. He told me last night, and I've had notime since to tell you. He sent poor young Barton to the hospital,and kept him there till his eyes were saved - a costly thing to do.But the man can work now and care for his old parents. He was indespair, sick and poor, and too proud to beg; and our dear boy foundit out, and took every penny he had, and never told even his mothertill she made him.'

Alice did not hear what Daisy answered, for she was busy with her ownemotions - happy ones now, to judge from the smile that shone in hereyes and the decided gesture with which she put the little bud in herbosom, as if she said: 'He deserves some reward for that good deed,and he shall have it.'

Mrs Meg was speaking, and still of John, when she could hear again:

'Some people would call it unwise and reckless, when John has solittle; but I think his first investment a safe and good one, for "hewho giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord"; and I was so pleased andproud, I wouldn't spoil it by offering him a penny.'

'It is his having nothing to offer that keeps him silent, I think. Heis so honest, he won't ask till he has much to give. But he forgetsthat love is everything. I know he's rich in that; I see and feel it;and any woman should be glad to get it.'

'Right, dear. I felt just so, and was willing to work and wait withand for my John.'

'So she will be, and I hope they will find it out. But she is sodutiful and good, I'm afraid she won't let herself be happy. Youwould like it, mother?'

'Heartily; for a better, nobler girl doesn't live. She is all I wantfor my son; and I don't mean to lose the dear, brave creature if Ican help it. Her heart is big enough for both love and duty; and theycan wait more happily if they do it together - for wait they must, ofcourse.'

'I'm so glad his choice suits you, mother, and he is spared thesaddest sort of disappointment.'

Daisy's voice broke there; and a sudden rustle, followed by a softmurmur, seemed to tell that she was in her mother's arms, seeking andfinding comfort there.

Alice heard no more, and shut her window with a guilty feeling but ashining face; for the proverb about listeners failed here, and shehad learned more than she dared to hope. Things seemed to changesuddenly; she felt that her heart was large enough for both love andduty; she knew now that she would be welcomed by mother and sister;and the memory of Daisy's less happy fate, Nat's weary probation, thelong delay, and possible separation for ever - all came before her sovividly that prudence seemed cruelty; self-sacrifice, sentimentalfolly; and anything but the whole truth, disloyalty to her lover. Asshe thought thus, the half-blown rose went to join the bud; and then,after a pause, she slowly kissed the perfect rose, and added it tothe tell-tale group, saying to herself with a sort of sweetsolemnity, as if the words were a vow:

'I'll love and work and wait with and for my John.'

It was well for her that Demi was absent when she stole down to jointhe guests who soon began to flow through the house in a steadystream. The new brightness which touched her usually thoughtful facewas easily explained by the congratulations she received as orator,and the slight agitation observable, when a fresh batch of gentlemenapproached soon passed, as none of them noticed the flowers she woreover a very happy heart. Demi meantime was escorting certainvenerable personages about the college, and helping his grandfatherentertain them with discussion of the Socratic method of instruction,Pythagoras, Pestalozzi, Froebel, and the rest, whom he devoutlywished at the bottom of the Red Sea, and no wonder, for his head andhis heart were full of love and roses, hopes and fears. He pilotedthe 'potent, grave, and reverend seigniors' safely down to Plumfieldat last, and landed them before his uncle and aunt Bhaer, who werereceiving in state, the one full of genuine delight in all men andthings, the other suffering martyrdom with a smile, as she stoodshaking hand after hand, and affecting utter unconsciousness of thesad fact that ponderous Professor Plock had camped upon the train ofher state and festival velvet gown.

With a long sigh of relief Demi glanced about him for the belovedgirl. Most persons would have looked some time before any particularangel could be discovered among the white-robed throng in parlours,hall, and study; but his eye went - like the needle to the pole - tothe corner where a smooth dark head, with its braided crown, roselike a queen's, he thought, above the crowd which surrounded her.Yes, she has a flower at her throat; one, two, oh, blessed sight! hesaw it all across the room, and gave a rapturous sigh which causedMiss Perry's frizzled crop to wave with a sudden gust. He did not seethe rose, for it was hidden by a fold of lace; and it was well,perhaps, that bliss came by instalments, or he might have electrifiedthe assembled multitude by flying to his idol, there being no Daisyto clutch him by the coat-tail. A stout lady, thirsting forinformation, seized him at that thrilling moment, and he was forcedto point out celebrities with a saintly patience which deserved abetter reward than it received; for a certain absence of mind andincoherence of speech at times caused the ungrateful dowager towhisper to the first friend she met after he had escaped:

'I saw no wine at any of the spreads; but it is plain that youngBrooke has had too much. Quite gentlemanly, but evidently a trifleintoxicated, my dear.'

Ah, so he was! but with a diviner wine than any that ever sparkled ata class-day lunch, though many collegians know the taste of it; andwhen the old lady was disposed of, he gladly turned to find the youngone, bent on having a single word. He saw her standing by the pianonow, idly turning over music as she talked with several gentlemen.Hiding his impatience under an air of scholastic repose, Demi hoverednear, ready to advance when the happy moment came, wondering meantimewhy elderly persons persisted in absorbing young ones instead ofsensibly sitting in corners with their contemporaries. The elderlypersons in question retired at length, but only to be replaced by twoimpetuous youths who begged Miss Heath to accompany them to Parnassusand join the dance. Demi thirsted for their blood, but was appeasedby hearing George and Dolly say, as they lingered a moment after herrefusal:

'Really, you know, I'm quite converted to co-education and almostwish I'd remained here. It gives a grace to study, a sort of relisheven to Greek to see charming girls at it,' said Stuffy, who foundthe feast of learning so dry, any sauce was welcome; and he felt asif he had discovered a new one.

'Yes, by Jove! we fellows will have to look out or you'll carry offall the honours. You were superb today, and held us all like magic,though it was so hot there, I really think I couldn't have stood itfor anyone else,' added Dolly, labouring to be gallant and reallyoffering a touching proof of devotion; for the heat melted hiscollar, took the curl out of his hair, and ruined his gloves.

'There is room for all; and if you will leave us the books, we willcheerfully yield the baseball, boating, dancing, and flirting, whichseem to be the branches you prefer,' answered Alice sweetly.

'Ah, now you are too hard upon us! We can't grind all the time andyou ladies don't seem to mind taking a turn at the two latter"branches" you mention,' returned Dolly, with a glance at Georgewhich plainly said, 'I had her there.'

'Some of us do in our first years. Later we give up childish things,you see. Don't let me keep you from Parnassus'; and a smiling noddismissed them, smarting under the bitter consciousness of youth.

'You got it there, Doll. Better not try to fence with these superiorgirls. Sure to be routed, horse, foot, and dragoons,' said Stuffy,lumbering away, somewhat cross with too many spreads.

'So deuced sarcastic! Don't believe she's much older than we are.Girls grow up quicker, so she needn't put on airs and talk like agrandmother,' muttered Dolly, feeling that he had sacrificed his kidsupon the altar of an ungrateful Pallas.

'Come along and let's find something to eat. I'm faint with so muchtalking. Old Plock cornered me and made my head spin with Kant andHegel and that lot.'

'I promised Dora West I'd give her a turn. Must look her up; she's ajolly little thing, and doesn't bother about anything but keeping instep.'

And arm in arm the boys strolled away, leaving Alice to read music asdiligently as if society had indeed no charms for her. As she bent toturn a page, the eager young man behind the piano saw the rose andwas struck speechless with delight. A moment he gazed, then hastenedto seize the coveted place before a new detachment of bores arrived.

'Alice, I can't believe it - did you understand - how shall I everthank you?' murmured Demi, bending as if he, too, read the song, nota note or word of which did he see, however.

'Hush! not now. I understood - I don't deserve it - we are too young,we must wait, but - I'm very proud and happy, John!'

What would have happened after that tender whisper I tremble tothink, if Tom Bangs had not come bustling up, with the cheerfulremark:

'Music? just the thing. People are thinning out, and we all want alittle refreshment. My brain fairly reels with the 'ologies and 'ismsI've heard discussed tonight. Yes, give us this; sweet thing! Scotchsongs are always charming.'

Demi glowered; but the obtuse boy never saw it, and Alice, feelingthat this would be a safe vent for sundry unruly emotions, sat downat once, and sang the song which gave her answer better than shecould have done:

The room was very still before the first verse ended; and Aliceskipped the next, fearing she could not get through; for John's eyeswere on her, showing that he knew she sang for him and let theplaintive little ballad tell what her reply must be. He took it asshe meant it, and smiled at her so happily that her heart got thebetter of her voice, and she rose abruptly, saying something aboutthe heat.

'Yes, you are tired; come out and rest, my dearest'; and with amasterful air Demi took her into the starlight, leaving Tom to stareafter them winking as if a sky-rocket had suddenly gone off under hisnose.

'Bless my soul! the Deacon really meant business last summer andnever told me. Won't Dora laugh?' And Tom departed in hot haste toimpart and exult over his discovery.

What was said in the garden was never exactly known; but the Brookefamily sat up very late that night, and any curious eye at the windowwould have seen Demi receiving the homage of his womankind as he toldhis little romance. Josie took great credit to herself in the matter,insisting that she had made the match; Daisy was full of the sweetestsympathy and joy, and Mrs Meg so happy that when Jo had gone to dreamof bridal veils, and Demi sat in his room blissfully playing the airof 'Bide a Wee', she had her talk about Nat, ending with her armsround her dutiful daughter and these welcome words as her reward:

'Wait till Nat comes home, and then my good girl shall wear whiteroses too.'