"Oh, there is Olive," interrupted Miss Ostergaard, waving her hand; "Olive, here are two visitors!" and Olive, pale and listless, descending the steps, turned yet paler at the sight of the man she loved and who loved her.
[CHAPTER IV.]
A QUEER COINCIDENCE.
When Olive saw who was standing on the lawn, she felt very much inclined to fly from so dear yet dangerous a foe. But maidenly pride came to her aid, and, doing violence to her feelings, the better to conceal them, she saluted Mr. Mallow with so much frigidity as rather to disconcert that young gentleman.
"Mr. Dimbal told me that you were here," she said. "He saw you at Reading Station yesterday."
"Mr. Dimbal is very kind to save me the trouble of announcing myself," said Mallow' dryly. "So unimportant a person as I am should feel much flattered."
"No friend is unimportant, Mr. Mallow," reproved Miss Bellairs, gently.
"I believe that--when there is something substantial to be gained from the friendship."
"What a cruel remark!" cried Tui, shaking her head. "I hope you do not practise what you preach, Mr. Mallow."
"Mallow's bark is worse than his bite," chimed in Aldean.