Pagina 227 de 416

Slowly her smile returned. He would respond when he had heard

certain other things. Then he would forget any one else but

her--if there was any one else. Her heart leaped at the thought.

As it became dark she rang the bell.

"Light the candles in the drawing-room," she said to the servant

who entered. "You remember that Mrs. Tanner is coming for

dinner?"

"Yes, madam."

"Very well. That is all." The servant withdrew.

There was nothing unusual in the fact of Mrs. Tanner coming for

dinner in the evening to the big house. Elsa simply could not eat

all her meals alone, and her old friends at the village were

constantly receiving invitations.

Mrs. Tanner arrived at half-past six. It was her first visit

since the departure of the fleet several weeks before, and there

was plenty to talk about. But Ma Tanner wisely reserved her

conversation until after the meal, for the "vittles" of Mallaby

House were famous the whole length of the New Brunswick coast.