"So take my advice, and retreat while you can. Now out o' the
way, if you please, and let me pass."
Jackson sullenly stood aside, letting go the rein, and Arthur galloped
off.
In the meantime, the older members of the family at the Oaks were quietly
enjoying themselves in the library, where bright lights, and a cheerful
wood-fire snapping and crackling on the hearth, added to the sense of
comfort imparted by handsome furniture, books, painting, statuary, rich
carpet, soft couches, and easy chairs.
The children had been sent to bed. Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore sat by the centre
table, the one busy with the evening paper, the other sewing, but now and
then casting a furtive glance at a distant sofa, where Mr. Travilla and
Elsie were seated side by side, conversing in an undertone.
"This is comfort, having you to myself again," he was saying, as he
watched admiringly the delicate fingers busied with a crochet needle,
forming bright meshes of scarlet zephyr. "How I missed you when you were
gone! and yet, do you know, I cannot altogether regret the short
separation, since otherwise I should have missed my precious budget of
letters."
"Ah," she said, lifting her merry brown eyes to his face for an instant,
then dropping them again, with a charming smile and blush, "do you think
that an original idea, or rather that it is original only with yourself?"
"And you are glad to have mine? though not nearly so sweet and fresh as
yours.
Pages:
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112