face on his breast; "but she has robbed us of that, and--O Ned! is she
to come between us again, and make us quarrel, and be so dreadfully
unhappy?" Her voice was full of tears and sobs before she had ended.

"No, no; I could not endure that any more than you," he said with
emotion, and clasping her very close: "and it is only for to-night you
will have to bear the annoyance of her presence; she is to leave in the
morning."

"Is she? that is some comfort. I hope somebody will come in for the
evening, and share with us the infliction of her society," Zoe said,
concluding with a forlorn attempt at a laugh.

"Won't you take off that very becoming hat and cloak, Mrs. Travilla, and
spend the evening?" asked Edward playfully.

"Thank you. I believe I will, if you will accompany me to the
dressing-room," she returned, with a smiling look up into his face.

"That I will with pleasure," he said, "provided you will reward me with
some assistance with my toilet."

"Such as brushing your hair, and tying your cravat? Yes, sir, I will:
it's a bargain."

And so, laughing and chatting, they went up to their own private
apartments.

Halt an hour later they came down again together, to find Miss Deane in
the parlor, seated by a window overlooking the avenue.