Farnsworth said nothing in the presence of the guests, and Elise, after her first exclamation, subsided.
In fact, Elise was more interested in the society of Channing and Van
Reypen than in the mystery of Azalea's disappearances.
Betty and Ray Gale had been telephoned for, and they came gladly, so that at dinner there was quite a big party.
"You certainly are a great little old hostess, Patty!" exclaimed Roger Farrington, as they seated themselves at table. "I liked you heaps as a girl, but as mistress of a fine house you are even more charming."
"Thank you, Sir Hubert Stanley!" smiled Patty; "and I'm glad to admit that I learned a lot about managing a house from your gifted wife. Do you remember, Mona, how we kept house down at 'Red Chimneys'?"
"Indeed I do!" Mona answered, "what fun we had that summer!"
"I'll subscribe to that!" declared Farnsworth, "for it was then and there that I met the lady who is now my wife! And,—I kissed her the moment I saw her!"
"Oh, Cousin William!" cried Azalea, "did you really? What did she say?"
"Flew at me like a small cyclone of wrath! But as I had mistaken her for my cousin Mona, she couldn't hold me very guilty."
"Yes! A lot Patty looks like me!" said Mona, who was a dark-haired beauty.