“But may I not go in the carriage with you and Odalite?” pleaded the youth.
“No, dear boy. There is no room for you. Miss Grandiere goes with us. We are four, and fill the four seats. Hurry, or you will miss the car.”
Le ran down the steps, and saved the car.
All this time Odalite had been standing in the rear of her father, and between her mother and her friend Sophie Grandiere. Her veil was down, and it was so doubled as to hide her face. All three of the ladies were silent.
When Le had left his side, Mr. Force turned toward them, and said:
“I ordered the carriage to come for us at about a quarter after two. I had no idea we should be out before that hour, and have to wait.”
“Well, we have not had long to wait, and here it comes,” replied Mrs. Force.
And the party walked down the steps, entered the carriage, and drove homeward.
The Forces, except when they gave a dinner, always kept up their old-fashioned, wholesome habit of dining in the middle of the day. Their usual dinner hour was half-past two, and they reached home just in time to take off their bonnets before sitting down to the table.
After dinner Mr. Force called a consultation of Mrs. Force, Odalite, Leonidas, Wynnette, Elva and Rosemary, in the library, for he said that all who were interested in the question about to be raised should have a voice in the discussion.