Mrs. Simpson was accompanied by her pretty little girl, flowered and furbelowed into as near a resemblance to a bantam chicken as it was possible for a pretty little girl to take.
The distance from the village to the Park was almost too great for so young a child to walk, and the poor little thing looked heated, cross, and weary; but her mamma declared that a ramble through those delicious fields was the greatest treat in the world. "I trust in Heaven," she continued, using her near-sighted eye-glass to look at a drawing which lay on the table, "that Mimima" (her abbreviation of Jemima) "will have my taste for sketching--I like to take her out with me, dear pet, she enjoys it so! but at this lovely season it is the most difficult thing in the world not to sketch as one goes. Indeed, when the mind is pre-occupied"--(a sigh)--"every object, however"--(a pause)--"I beg your pardon, but it is so difficult--"
"Come to me, Jemima," said Helen, holding out her hand, "and let me take your bonnet off."
The child put up her shoulder, and pressed with distressing closeness upon the delicate lilac of her mother's new silk dress.
"It is such a shy puss!" said Mrs. Simpson; "I often think what would become of her"--(a sigh). "I beg your pardon--but sad thoughts will press--"
"Little girl, do you love eau de Cologne?" said Rosalind, taking a bottle from the table and holding it towards her.
Either the look, the accent, or the action of Rosalind had attraction sufficient to draw the child towards her; when she good-humouredly relieved the glowing cheeks from the stifling encumbrance of a very close pink bonnet and thick green veil, and then copiously bedewed the pretty head with the fragrant and refreshing water.
"Yes, very much; do it again! again!" said the child, laughing aloud.
"Mimima!--what did I tell you, dear! Alas!--young heads--I beg your pardon--" (a sigh). "You are too good!--I fear you will spoil her, Miss Torrington."
"I am only trying to cool her a little, ma'am; she looks quite in a fever."
"She has sported along before me like a little fawn! I brought my maid and the man servant, as I thought they might carry her between them if she was tired; but she would not hear of it--the step of childhood is so elastic!--Alas!--I beg your pardon!--"