Page:The Clergyman's Wife.djvu/96

riage, instead of encountering the fatigues of a journey to the North, had passed her summers at some of the fashionable springs of Virginia, while her husband travelled about, and paid her and the children occasional visits.

"Here we are!" exclaimed Mr. Willington, as the carriage drew up before a stately mansion, embowered by groups of magnolia trees, and standing in a spacious garden. Roses, honeysuckle, and jessamine, clambered together up the porch, and their long tendrils, floating in the breeze, formed an archway of natural garlands over the entrance. Ruth sprang from the carriage and ascended the marble steps without noticing Mr. Willington's punctiliously-offered aid; for, as the equipage stopped, the street door opened, and Angelica stood on the threshold. The friends embraced warmly.

"Come in, let me beg you to come in, Miss Merriwether," said Mr. Willington, offering his arm to Ruth. He had a nervous horror of anything so like public display as this womanly greeting, even beneath that screen of blossoming vines.

Ruth obeyed, but without accepting his arm, for hers was about Angelica's waist.

They had scarcely entered the drawing-room, when the latter sank into her usual languid, half-reclining attitude upon the sofa. Ruth sat beside her, fondly scanning her face as she chatted merrily.