"No, miss."
"Telephone to the Western Union office and ask if my telegram was delivered."
The maid disappeared, returning presently with the information that it had been receipted for at nine-thirty o'clock. With a warm wave of relief flooding her heart Ellen slipped on a light wrapper, and threw herself into an armchair before the sea-coal fire.
"She studied the faces alternately."
"You need not wait, Elise. I shall sit up and read."
"Very well, miss. Good night."
"Good night," answered her mistress dreamily.
Outside the rain swept steadily against the glass with a soft, silting sound. From time to time drops fell down the chimney and hissed for a moment ere they vanished black splotches upon the vermilion coals. Behind her an electric lamp of bronze, with an opaque shade, threw a dim light over her shoulder and lit up the masses of her loosened hair.