Answering the summons of the bell, a maid ushered him into the long
drawing-room, and into the presence of the general and his daughter. The
former received North with a perceptible shade of reserve. He knew more
about the young man than he would have cared to tell his daughter, since
he believed it would be better for her to make her own discoveries where
North was concerned. He had not opposed his frequent visits to Idle
Hour, for he felt that if Elizabeth was interested in the young fellow
opposition would only strengthen it. Glancing at North as he greeted
Elizabeth, the general admitted that whatever he might be, he was
presentable, indeed good-looking, handsome. Why hadn't he done something
other than make a mess of his life! He wondered, too, wishing to be
quite fair, if North had not been the subject of a good deal of
unmerited censure, if, after all, his idleness had not been the worst
thing about him. He hoped this might be true. Still he regretted that
Elizabeth should have allowed their boy and girl friendship--they had
known each other always--to grow into a closer intimacy.

In the minds of these two men there was absolute accord on one point.
Either would have said that Elizabeth Herbert's beauty was a supreme
endowment, and more nearly perfect than the beauty of any other woman.
She was slender, not tall, but poised and graceful with a distinction of
bearing that added to her inches. Her hair was burnished copper and her
coloring the tint of warm ivory with the sunlight showing through. North
gazed at her as though he would store in his memory the vision of her
loveliness. Then they walked out to the dining-room.

The dinner was rather a somber feast. North felt the restraint of the
general's presence; he sensed his disfavor; and with added bitterness he
realized that this was his last night in Mount Hope, that the morrow