Just as Elizabeth was thinking over this conversation, and giving another little sigh for Tom and what she feared for him, a blithe young voice rang in the hall, carolling like a bird.
"There she is!" exclaimed Tom.
His face lighted up, his whole frame seemed to expand with delight. Elizabeth watched him. She knew better than ever that his heartstrings were twined about that young creature, that his very soul had gone out in worship at her feet.
"And where are you hidden, Lady Bess?" sang Elsie, gayly.
Tom rushed to the door and flung it open, upsetting the table again, and this time leaving Elizabeth to pick it up herself.
"Here she is, my fairy princess!" he called, standing in the doorway and looking up at her as she paused on the stairs.
"In that dismal den and guarded by a dragon," cried Elsie, peeping at him through the banisters, mischievously. "Pray where did you come from, C[oe]ur de Lion?"
"If you knew what I had brought for my lady-bird, you would be on your prettiest behavior and give me your best welcome," said Tom.
"It's bon-bons!" cried Elsie with a shriek of delight. "The ogre means pralines and caramels and marons glacés!"
"Come down and see," said Tom, mysteriously.