"There, there!" said Elsie, patting his arm as she might have smoothed a great Newfoundland dog; "don't quarrel with me now! Next week you are coming down to Piney Cove, and you shall see how nicely I will entertain you."
"Shall you be glad to see me—really glad?" pleaded Tom, red to the very temples.
"Oh, of course," cried Elsie, laughing; "you are a sort of cousin now—it will be my duty, you know."
Elsie danced away, leaving him to pull his white glove in a perplexed sort of way, by no means certain that he was satisfied with being considered a relation, and treated in this cavalier manner.
CHAPTER VII.
THE FIRST CLOUD.
Mrs. Harrington had run up stairs for an instant, and stopped Mellen and his bride on the landing for a few last words.
"I hope you are satisfied, Grantley," she said; "I have done my best; I do hope you are pleased."
"My dear friend, everything has been perfect," he answered.