Page:Maud Howe - Atlanta in the South.djvu/172

 reputation of being a flirt of the most dangerous character before her marriage. Since that time she had somewhat kept up the appearance of the same thing with men whose relations to her were of the most innocent and friendly nature. It was another of those bad European notions of hers, that a woman must have many admirers if she desires to keep alive her husband's devotion to her. They interested each other, Margaret and Mrs. Harden, because their lives and experiences had been so entirely unlike; and so they kissed at meeting after Mrs. Harden's long absence, and the kiss, so often a foolish form between women, expressed a cordial good-will and pleasure at seeing one another again. Margaret and her father had come to Mrs. Harden's house and had found that good lady sitting in her garden, watching a game of lawn-tennis between her husband and Robert Feuardent.

"We are very glad you have come back, Mrs. Harden, for we are thinking of flitting north ward in these days, are we not, Margaret?" said the General, watching his daughter as he spoke.

"Are we, papa?" Margaret answered, with an unsuccessful effort to appear indifferent. "I did not know it. I should be sorry to go just now; it is so beautiful here."

"Yes; but the intense heat may begin any