"Yes, madam, I have promised to spend it with Mr. Hammond."
"Then you must excuse yourself, for I will not have Gordon disappointed again."
Too much annoyed to answer, Edna left the room, but paused in the hall and beckoned to Mrs. Murray, who instantly joined her.
"Of course, you will not have prayers to-night, as Mr. Murray has returned?"
"For that very reason I want to have them, to make a public acknowledgment of my gratitude that my son has been restored to me. Oh! if he would only consent to be present!"
"It is late, and he will probably plead fatigue."
"Leave that with me, and when I ring the bell, come to the library."
The orphan went to her room and diligently copied an essay which she intended to submit to Mr. Hammond for criticism on the following day; and as the comparative merits of the Solonian and Lycurgan codes constituted her theme, she soon became absorbed by Grecian politics, and was only reminded of the events of the evening, when the muezzin bell sounded, calling the household to prayer.
She laid down her pen and hurried to the library, whither Mrs. Murray had enticed her son, who was standing before one of the book-cases, looking over the table of contents of a new scientific work. The servants came in and ranged themselves near the door, and suddenly Mrs. Murray said:
"You must take my place to-night, Edna; I can not read aloud."