"Promise then!"
"Yes—yes—anything; oh, get away!"
She struggled from him, and Tom had just time to resume his seat and look as decorously grave as perfect happiness could permit, when the door opened, and Mrs. Harrington entered, with her usual flutter.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
THE PET MESSENGER.
"Elsie, Elsie!" the widow cried out, "Mr. Rhodes and the fascinating Jemima are driving up the avenue; the old maid is rushing on destruction again without the slightest warning."
"It's delightful!" said Elsie. "I shall tell her how rich Tom Fuller is, and that he wants a wife."
"Don't set the old dragon at me," said Tom.
"Yes, I will! Mary, you must flirt desperately with the dear old man; between her desire to watch you and be agreeable to Tom, the spinster will be driven to the verge of distraction."