"Mr. Brudenell, will you take Lady Vincent in to dinner?" said the countess, with a smile, as she herself gave her hand to Ishmael.
And thus they passed into the dining room.
But for the sadness of one mourning spirit present, the dinner was a pleasant one. And the reunion in the drawing room that evening was calmly happy.
CHAPTER LIII
HOME AGAIN.
Home again! home again!
From a foreign shore!
And oh, it fills my heart with joy
To greet my friends once more.
Music sweet! music soft!
Lingers round the place;
And oh, I feel the childhood's charm,
That time cannot efface!
—M. S. Pike.
It had been decided in consultation between Judge Merlin and Ishmael that, under existing circumstances, it would be proper for their party to shorten their visit to Cameron Court, and leave the recently reconciled pair to the enjoyment of their own exclusive company.
And accordingly, while they were all seated at luncheon the next day, Wednesday, Judge Merlin announced their departure for Thursday morning.
This announcement was met by a storm of hospitable expostulation. Both the countess and Mr. Brudenell strongly objected to the early departure of their visitors, and urged their prolonged stay.