"I reckon he must have gone down after Mr. O'Hara. They had just got back from a ball game, and I 'spose they felt like talking about it. He'll be up again in a minute, because Mr. O'Hara goes out at six o'clock."
"But I've just come home." Her lip trembled. "I should think Archibald would rather be with me."
"Oh, he won't stay, and you'll have him all the evening. Archibald is just crazy about gettin' you back."
Taking off her hat, a jaunty twist of black velvet from Paris, Gabriella went into her bedroom and changed to a gown of clear blue crape, which she took out of the new bag. When she came out again, with her arms filled with Fanny's gifts, there was a flush in her usually pale face, and her eyes were bright with determination.
"I put these in my bag, Fanny, so you wouldn't have to wait for the trunks. Try on this little white silk."
"Oh, mother, you look so sweet in that blue gown!"
"I got it for almost nothing, dear, but the colour is lovely." Turning restlessly away, she walked to the window and stood looking over Miss Polly's window box down on the brilliant border of red geraniums.
"Has Archibald come upstairs yet, Miss Polly?"
"Not yet, but he'll be up directly. Don't you worry."
For an instant Gabriella hesitated; then crossing the room with a resolute step, she turned, with her hand on the knob, and looked back at the startled face of the little seamstress, who was fastening Fanny's white gown.