Gloria did not carry out her intention of going to Sandy Isle on the next day to see her old friend, Granny Lindsay.
The weather had changed in the night, and a week of steady rain set in.
The small family were confined to the house, and had to find what amusement they could within doors.
Colonel de Crespigney found occupation and entertainment enough in unpacking his books from the boxes in which they had been carefully put away to keep them safe from the workmen who were in the house, engaged in the work of restoration, during his absence in Europe with his ward.
Gloria found interesting employment in turning over and inspecting the beautiful wardrobe she had brought over from London and Paris; and afterwards in rambling through all the rooms of the rejuvenated old house, to which she could scarcely become reconciled.
“Oh, it is all very fine, I dare say, and it was very good of the colonel, and I ought to admire it very much, but it reminds me of the melancholy old ladies I have seen at public places, all painted up with rouge and pearl powder. The old house was more respectable and even more beautiful and artistic in its old aspect.”
Miss de Crespigney engaged herself in preparations for her departure, for she was going South to spend the winter with her brother and sister-in-law, and had delayed her departure only to receive Colonel de Crespigney and Gloria on their return to Promontory Hall.
By the time that the rainy season came to an end and the sun of the Indian summer shone out again, Colonel de Crespigney’s books were all unpacked, catalogued, and restored to their niches in the newly furnished library; Miss de la Vera’s personal effects were inspected and arranged, and Miss de Crespigney’s preparations for her departure were complete.
“I have reconstructed your household government, and trained your servants so well in the seven years that I have passed in this house, Marcel, that now I think affairs will run quite smoothly in the present groove with only the nominal mistress of the house that the little countess will make. I think, however, that you should take your niece to Washington in December, and spend the fashionable season there with her, where she may have some opportunity of marriage, suitable to her rank and wealth,” said Miss de Crespigney to the colonel in a tête-à-tête she held with him on the day before she was to leave the promontory.
“Gloria is but sixteen. There is time enough five years hence to think of marrying her off,” replied Colonel de Crespigney, wincing, for he was less inclined than ever to display his treasure to the world; more disposed than before to keep her all to himself.