Page:The Clergyman's Wife.djvu/97

The young wife was attired in a rose-colored silk wrapper, trimmed with rows of narrow black velvet, and edged with black lace. The skirt beneath was of finest embroidery. Her sleeves, open to the shoulders, disclosed her round, white arms. The long, shining ringlets that used to float over her shoulders, were looped up beneath a tiny, Marie Stuart cap of honiton lace. The toilet of an invalid became her. She looked supremely beautiful in spite of the weary, listless expression which quickly returned to her face, and seemed to be its habitual look. The roses that Ruth so well remembered, had somewhat faded from her cheeks, and her eyes were consequently less brilliant. These, and the look of hopeless lassitude which Ruth had never seen upon that countenance before, were the only changes that she could detect.

Ruth, who had a quick eye for the tasteful and beautiful, glanced admiringly around the room. The floor, of polished oak, reflected objects like a mirror. The luxurious furniture had no northern stiffness and show-aspect; evidently it was all intended for use. Pictures and statues, and objects of virtu were intermingled with costly vases filled with the most exquisite flowers, and hanging-baskets, from which long branches of the yellow jessamine waved like a golden drapery, and shed a delicious perfume throughout the apartment.

Ruth exclaimed with enthusiasm, "What magnificent flowers! I never saw more brilliant col-