you like to see it?'

'I should, very much,' Rose said.

'Then come quickly while the others are eating those plums off the
wall.'

Rose looked back. 'I can't think what Sophia will do with the stone,'
she murmured, smiling her faint smile.

Mrs. Sales was puzzled by this remark. 'Oh, she'll manage, won't she?
You don't want to help her, do you?'

'No, I don't want to help her.'

'Come along, then.'

Rose saw the boudoir, a little room half-way up the stairs. 'It's
Louis something,' said Mrs. Sales, 'but all the same, I think it's
sweet, and pink's my favourite colour. Francis thought of that. I was
wearing pink when I first met him.'

'I see,' Rose said. 'Was that long ago?'

'Only three months. I think we both fell in love at the same minute,
and that's nice, isn't it? I know I'm going to be happy, but I do hope
I shan't be dull. We're a big family at home. I'm English,' she added
a little anxiously, 'but my father settled there.'

'I don't think you should be dull,' Rose said. 'Everybody in Radstowe