Therefore Linda went down alone when the young man was announced, to find him sitting in a little alcove, waiting for her. He was in correct evening dress and looked well. Linda had never seen him so carefully attired and could but acknowledge that there was a certain elegance in the tall, dignified figure, and that he looked quite as distinguished as any man she had met. She, herself, was all in white, Miss Ri having persuaded her that such a dress was as appropriate as her frocks of black. She looked very charming, thought the young man, who rose to meet her, and his manner was slightly more genial than usual.
"It seems a very long time since I saw you, Miss Linda," he said.
"Only a week," returned Linda, seating herself on a low divan, her skirts making soft billows around her.
"You have enjoyed yourself and the time has passed very quickly, I presume."
"Very quickly. We have had a delightful week. And you?"
"There have been festivities in Sandbridge from which you were missed."
"And to which, probably, I should not have gone. No piece of news of any importance?"
"One which will interest you and which I came to tell you of."
He hesitated so long that Linda, to help him out, began, "And the news is—"
"About my claim." He hesitated, as if finding it very hard to go on.