By Rhonda, the Chief Acolyte

Part Three

"Ahhh!!!!" the girls screeched, running to hide.

There was Henry Tilney, sopping wet and exhausted, standing with an expression of utter amazement and good humor. He looked at his wife, who was frantically trying to calm the children under the table, while their mothers were dragging the others out from behind the sofa. The book on the table was opened to The Wolf and the Seven Kids, and he realized what he was mistaken for. Henry Tilney as the Big Bad Wolf, ready to eat guests in his own home? He burst out laughing!

His laughing quickly subsided when his wife gave him a frazzled glare, and quickly turned to greet Mrs. Browning and Mrs. Jones. "Well, I see I have interrupted a story, and even managed to play a part," Henry said, his eyes crinkling. "How has your visit been, Mrs. Browning, Mrs. Jones?"

"Well, sir, we enjoyed our visit very much, and the girls did, too, except for the scare we suffered," Mrs. Jones laughed. ÎBut I think we must end our visit presently. I believe Mrs. Tilney is in need of rest."

Catherine was busy hugging and dressing the girls, soothing their nerves, and expressing a wish that they would come back for another story, preferably when the weather was fair. Her concern for her young friends had prevented her from greeting her husband.

The carriage was called, and the families were sent off under a sea of umbrellas. Only then did Catherine's shoulders slightly sag.

Catherine watched the carriage down the road. She then turned to finally greet her husband, but was surprised when she discovered he had left the room. "He was just here," she quietly pondered.

"Henry?" Catherine called. She walked down the hall toward the bedroom. He most likely was changing out of his wet clothes, she thought. She opened the door of the room, glanced in, and called again, "Henry?"

No answer.

But there on the floor was a white lilac cluster (youthful innocence).

Then she noticed a pink ranunculus lying ten feet away (I am dazzled by your charms).

What could be the meaning of this? Catherine wondered. Where could he be?

The trail continued down the hallway. Lily-of-the-valley (return of happiness), then a violet (faithfulness). Why did I not notice these in the hall before? thought Catherine.

Then, at the door of the dining room, another iris lay, a fleur-de-lis (flame).

A white dittany (passion) was halfway between the door and the table.

Catherine was giddy, smiling broadly. One would not think she had just suffered through a crisis. Her steps were light, her heart beating wildly, and her head among the clouds.

She glanced at the table, where a bouquet of flowers (gallantry) was in a vase. The bouquet consisted of roses (love), forget-me-not (remembrance), and may hawthorn (hope).

The pianoforte began to play as Catherine noticed an ivy geranium (I engage you for the next dance) at her plate.

Continued in Part Four

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