“What time do you expect her, please, Miss Fielding?” inquired the girl.
“I expect her every moment, for it is after eight o’clock, though it is very possible she may not be in before ten, but you do as I bid you,” replied Elfie.
And as she was fully recognized as commanding officer in the absence of Erminie, her orders were immediately obeyed.
The cloth was no sooner spread than Erminie’s ring was heard and answered.
Erminie lingered at the hall door for a moment, trying to persuade Dr. Sales, who had attended her home, to come in and rest himself before going farther. But the clergyman pleaded an engagement and bade her good night.
And Erminie came into the library.
“Well, upon my word! But I suppose angels can do without food or sleep, and that is the secret of your living and working without either,” exclaimed Elfie, as she arose and made Erminie sit in the easy chair and rest herself, while she untied and removed her bonnet, and unpinned and took off her shawl.
Erminie, instead of answering, burst into tears, and wept softly behind her pocket handkerchief.
“Here, Catherine, take Miss Rosenthal’s bonnet and shawl up stairs, and put them away. And you needn’t come in again until I ring,” said Elfie handing the articles named to the parlor maid, who was still engaged in arranging the table.
The girl took the things and left the room.