“Eleven o’clock! Bless my soul! Erminie, ring for the bedroom candles!” exclaimed the doctor, rousing himself.
Erminie obeyed. The housemaid appeared with three wax candles in three little silver candlesticks.
“We have no gas in the bedrooms. I consider it unhealthy. Good-night,” said the doctor, as he lighted a candle and handed it to his guest.
CHAPTER XVIII.
ERMINIE’S TRIALS.
On the morning succeeding the domestication of Colonel Eastworth in the family, Erminie, restless with excess of happiness, arose earlier than usual.
She went down into the library to open and air it, and to have the fire lighted and the table set for breakfast under her own supervision.
And half an hour later, when Dr. Rosenthal and Colonel Eastworth entered the room, a very pleasant scene greeted them.
The morning sun was shining brightly in, lighting up the amber-colored hangings, the gilded picture frames, the glass bookcases, and the silver service of the breakfast table. The fire burned clearly in the polished grate, and by its side sat Erminie in her soft white merino morning dress and rich auburn ringlets.
She arose with a smile to greet her father and her lover.
Her father kissed her fondly and then took up a morning paper and appeared to become absorbed in its contents.