"Such a charming place you have here--quite a paradise," he drawled, caressing the head of his cane, which was constantly between his lips. "I trust--aw--the other angel of this retreat is visible?"
Elizabeth replied with a faint smile. She had borne a good many similar afflictions from Mrs. Harrington's friends, but it was too much that they should be forced upon her just then.
"Where is Elsie?" cried the widow, with vivacious affection, shaking her gay plumage like a canary bird in the sun.
"In her own room," replied Elizabeth. "Pray walk in, and I will call her."
"Oh, never mind, I'll go!" said Mrs. Harrington. "Gentlemen, I leave you with Mrs. Mellen; but no flirtation, remember that!"
She fluttered, laughed a little, and shook her finger at the very young man, who said "Aw!" while North seemed absorbed in the scenery. Then away she flew, kissing her hand to them, and leaving Elizabeth to gather up her weary thoughts and make an effort at entertaining these unwelcome guests.
Mrs. Harrington found Elsie yawning over a new novel, and quite prepared to be enlivened by the prospect of company.
"But I can't go down such a figure," she said; "just wait a minute. One gets so careless in a house without gentlemen."
"Oh, to death. It's dreadful!" sighed Elsie. "I feel things so acutely. If I only had a little of Bessie's stoicism!"
"Yes, it's all very well; but you are made up of feeling," said the widow. "Change your dress, dear. Oh, you've made a conquest of a certain gentleman."
"What, that Hawkins! He's a fearful idiot!" cried Elsie. "But he'll do, for want of a better."
The sensitive young creature had quite forgotten her low spirits, but dressed herself in the most becoming morning attire possible, and floated down to greet the guests and quite bewilder them with her loveliness.
Hawkins had been mortally afraid of Mrs. Mellen, but with Elsie he could talk, and Elizabeth sat quite stunned by the flood of frivolous nonsense and the peals of senseless laughter which went on about her. As for Mr. North, Elsie scarcely gave him a word after the first general salutation.
After awhile Elizabeth managed to escape, on the plea that household duties required her presence, and stole up to her room for a little quiet. All at once she heard Tom Fuller's voice in the hall; opened her dressing-room door, and there he stood in his usual disordered state.