And Hoffman looked wrathfully at the image , as if he would much enjoy sending it down the trap . `` How ridiculous ! I shall not go about this place alone , for fear of lighting upon some horror of this sort . I 've had enough ; come away into the garden ; it 's full of roses , and we may have as many as we like . '' As she spoke Amy involuntarily put out her hand for Casimer to lead her down the steep stone steps , and he pressed the little hand with a tender look which caused it to be hastily withdrawn . `` Here are your roses . Pretty flower ; I know its meaning in English , for it is the same with us . To give a bud to a lady is to confess the beginning of love , a half open one tells of its growth , and a full-blown one is to declare one 's passion . Do you have that custom in your land , mademoiselle ? '' He had gathered the three as he spoke , and held the bud separately while looking at his companion wistfully . `` No , we are not poetical , like your people , but it is a pretty fancy , '' and Amy settled her bouquet with an absorbed expression , though inwardly wondering what he would do with his flowers . He stood silent a moment , with a sudden flush sweeping across his face , then flung all three into the lake with a gesture that made the girl start , and muttered between his teeth : `` No , no ; for me it is too late . '' She affected not to hear , but making up a second bouquet , she gave it to him , with no touch of coquetry in compassionate eyes or gentle voice . `` Make your room bright with these . When one is ill nothing is so cheering as the sight of flowers . '' Meantime the others had descended and gone their separate ways . As Karl crossed the courtyard a little child ran to meet him with outstretched arms and a shout of satisfaction . He caught it up and carried it away on his shoulder , like one used to caress and be caressed by children . Helen , waiting at the door of the tower while the major dusted his coat , saw this , and said , suddenly , directing his attention to man and child , -- `` He seems fond of little people . I wonder if he has any of his own . ''
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Amy Casimer English Helen Hoffman Karl children coquetry second touch