"Are you coming down?" she asked.
"Yes; of course," he replied, coldly. "Don't wait for me."
She walked away without another word.
"She avoids me," he thought. "I see it more and more."
The ball was over at last. Even Elsie was completely tired out, and glad to nestle away under the azure curtains of her bed when the guests had departed.
With the next morning began preparations for Mellen's departure; and during the bustle of the following week, no one found much time for thought or reflection.
Tom Fuller came down suddenly, and opened his heart to Elizabeth. He was going to Europe; he did not ask to see Elsie; lacking the courage to meet her again for the present—once more, perhaps, before he went away; but not yet.
Elizabeth did not reproach the girl for her share in the honest fellow's unhappiness. She merely said—
"Tom is going to Europe on business; he sails next week."
"Oh, the foolish old fellow," replied Elsie; "and he never could learn to speak a French word correctly—what fun it would be to be with him in France."