"You will have to," murmured Emma, "for here he comes." And the next moment the ardent, anxious face of the young lawyer appeared at the gate, making the whole outside world seem brighter to one pair of eyes which watched him.
"He wants to talk about our visitor," declared Hermione. "I cannot talk about anything so trivial to-day; so do you see him, and when he rises to go, say that Doris will bring a certain packet to his door to-night. I will not meet his eyes till that ordeal is passed." And with a gasp that showed what this moment was to her, she flew from the room, just as Doris' step was heard in the hall on her way to the front door.
"Where is your sister?" were the first words uttered by Frank, as he came into the room.
"Upstairs," answered Emma. "She does not feel as if she can see you again till everything is clear between you. The letter she promised is written, and you shall have it to-night. Then if you wish to come again——" her smile completed the sentence.
He took heart at this smile.
"I do not doubt," said he, "that I shall be here very early in the morning." And then he glanced all around him.
"Does Huckins still bother you?" he asked.
"Oh," she cried, with some constraint, "we allow him to come here. 'Tis the least we can do for one——"
She paused, and seemed to bite off her words.
"Do not let us talk of trivialities," she completed, "till the great question of all is settled. To-morrow, if you come, we will speak of this visitor of whom you so little approve."