Colonel Ilse looked at his watch. "If Elsie is ready we must go, if we want to catch the Fenchurch Street train for Tilbury Docks."
As if in answer to his question Mrs. Shawe entered ready for the journey, smiling and happy, although she looked rather thin. This was not to be wondered at, after all she had gone through. Her father embraced her tenderly, as he always did when she came into his presence. It seemed as though he never could love her enough. Then came fond farewells on the part of Lady Sanby, who insisted on descending to see the party off.
"And I hope you will be happy, Elsie," she said, kissing her at the street door.
"Do you call me Elsie, as father does?" asked Mrs. Shawe, smiling.
"Yes, and I shall call you Elsie also," said her husband, assisting her into the motor-car. "From this moment we leave Audrey Branwin and her miserable past behind. Now begins the happy existence of Elsie Shawe."
"Thank Heaven," said the girl, piously, and her father and husband echoed the wish as the motor-car hummed away towards the new life of peace and pleasure which waited for them all.
"Thank Heaven also," said Lady Sanby, waving her hand. "That is the last of the Pink Shop and all its misery."