Within the house every part was refurnished freshly and handsomely, if not very expensively.
When the finishing touch was put to the hanging of the mirrors and the drooping of the curtains, the decorator and the upholsterer, who were the last of the artisans to depart, came to take leave of Miss Agrippina de Crespigney.
“And I suppose you are very glad to see the last of us, ma’am,” said Mr. Bracket, the great artist in “effects.”
“I should rather see you here than your successors,” replied Miss Agrippina, with even unusual grimness.
“Beg pardon?” said Bracket, interrogatively.
“I say I would rather see you here than your certain successors, the sheriff’s officers, for I expect they will be the next strangers I shall be called upon to entertain! Such extravagance I never did see in all the days of my life! Well, I thank Providence my little portion is safe enough. Marcel can’t make ducks and drakes out of that.”
The two men bowed themselves out of Mrs. “Aggravater’s” presence and went their way.
Colonel de Crespigney and Gloria were expected home in a few days. They had returned from their European tour in a steamer bound for Quebec, and were making a short tour through Canada, before completing their travels.
The first of October was a glorious autumn day. The sun was shining with dazzling splendor from a deep blue, cloudless sky; a soft, bright golden haze hung over the gorgeously colored woods and fields.
The new carriage and horses had been sent to St. Inigoes to meet the stage that was to bring the travelers that far on their journey home. It was from this circumstance that David Lindsay knew that Colonel de Crespigney and Gloria were expected to arrive that afternoon. He knew, besides, that they could only come at low tide, when the waves would have ebbed from the “neck” and left the road free. There would be low tide at half-past three o’clock.