268 
POPULAR TALES OF FLOWERS 
“Well, I don't much wonder/^ answered the little 
neighbour, for I am sure there is nothing in me which 
is worthy of her notice. I am so ugly and so lowb’ 
just then the Lady turned and looked back, saying, 
“ How very fragrant it is just here ! My sweet Mignon- 
nette must be near, and I had nearly forgotten her. Ah ! 
my little pet, you know how to call me back when I pass 
}ou by.” 
I am not sure that little Mignonnette smiled when she 
heard this, but I think she could not help doing so. As 
for Scarlet Pea, she turned redder than ever, and said, 
“Well, I never did — I” 
“ Here comes the Lady, ' ’ said Love-in-a-mist to her- 
self j but I won’t let her know that I love her. I shall 
just turn my head the other way.” 
Poor Love-in-a-mist was very diffident, and she lost 
no time in carrying her plan into execution. The Lady 
stopped and spoke to her; but she pretented not to hear 
her, while yet she trembled all over. The Lady knew 
not what to do; but she spoke a few kind words, and 
walked on to the Moss Rose, her favourite flower. The 
Rose was very happy and very beautiful that morning, 
and she showed the Lady how many of her buds had 
opened since last she was there, and begged that one 
might rest upon her bosom that day. No wonder, then. 
Moss Rose was very dear to the Lady! Was she not 
nearly perfect in her lovely robe of soft green moss; was 
not her smile the sweetest and her lip the softest in the 
whole garden The flowers about her knew this; and 
some of them loved to sit at her feet and own it, while 
others were ready to bite their lips with envy. 
“When the Lady comes this way I’m going to show, 
her how I am crowded up here in this little corner,” said 
the Tulip. “ I can’t bear to live next-door to anything 
so vulgar as that mean old Buttercup.” 
“As to that,” returned the Buttercup, “I am noRso 
very old as you imagine, madam; and I would have you 
to know that as I am placed in the garden by the special 
direction of the Lady, I shall stay here as long as I 
please.” 
“Then don’t expect any attentions from me,” said the 
Tulip, tossing her beautiful head in high disdain ; “ for I 
