Midwinter Town: A Novella
Sir Adam recovered readily; and because lie was a soldier of quick wit, though young, he bowed, and raising his eyes to the wonderful vision, said, “As God lives! Roses bloom on the snow in Ketling's garden.”
But Basira, courtesying, muttered to herself, “For some other nose than yours,” then she said very charmingly, “I beg you to come in.”
She went forward herself, and rushing into the room where Sir Geswer was sitting with the rest of the company, cried, making reference to the red kontush of Sir Adam, “The red finch has come!”
Then she sat at the table, put one hand into the other, and pursed her mouth in
the style of a demure and strictly reared young lady.