"Perfectly, Clarence dear. I hope you will set out for North End immediately after breakfast. I shall not start for Washington until to-night. I shall spend the day here, so that after telling Violet of my intended journey I may have some little time to reconcile her to it."
"How good you are, Cora. I do appreciate this consideration for Violet," said Mr. Fabian earnestly.
"It is only her due, uncle. Well, Clarence, since you are determined to escort me to Washington, whether or not, you may meet me at the depot for the 6:30 express. I feel that it is every way better that I should go by the night train; better for Violet, with whom I can thus spend a few more hours, and better for Clarence, who need not by this arrangement lose this day's work."
"Quite so," assented Mr. Fabian. "And now," he added, as light footsteps were heard approaching the room, "here comes Violet. Not a word about the journey until after breakfast."
They all went into the breakfast room, where a fragrant, appetizing morning meal was spread.
How different this was from the breakfast at Rockhold on the preceding-day, darkened by the sullen wrath of the Iron King and eaten in the most gloomy silence! Here were affectionate attentions and jests and laughter. Violet was in such gay spirits that her vivacity became contagious, and Fabian and Clarence often laughed aloud, and Corona was won to smile at her sallies.
At last Mr. Fabian arose with a sigh, half of satisfied appetite, half of reluctance to leave the scene, and said:
"Well, I suppose we must be moving. Clarence, will you drive with me to North End?"
"Certainly. That is all arranged, you know," replied the younger brother.
"Mr. Fabian walked out into the hall, saying as he left the breakfast room: