"Nonsense! Come with me."
Elsie caught her sister-in-law about the waist, waltzed away towards the stairs and forced her to ascend, while Mr. Mellen stood looking after them with a pleasant smile on his lips.
CHAPTER XXVI.
SUNSHINE AND STORMS.
When they reached Elsie's room the girl drew Elizabeth in and closed the door. Mrs. Mellen sank wearily into a seat, as if glad to escape from the restraint she had been putting upon herself all that day.
"Your note frightened me so!" cried Elsie. "It was wicked of you to write like that."
"He came upon me so suddenly," gasped Elizabeth. "I was out in the grounds in the rain—I had gone to—"
"And Grantley came upon you there?" interrupted Elsie. "What did you do? what did you do?"
"I fainted in the end."