The Judge's cheek grew crimson as he read the note, which he did not show to his wife.
"An extremely polite and interesting person," said he; "I will immediately answer it."
"Ernst," said Elise, "should we not invite her to dinner to-morrow? I thought of something very nice, which is sure to succeed; then we could go altogether to the concert, and afterwards she might sup with us."
"Now that is a good idea, and I thank you for it, my sweet Elise," said he, extremely pleased.
Yes, if the Colonel's widow had not been there—if the Candidate had not been there—and if there had been no if in the case, all might have gone on quite smoothly. But it was quite otherwise.
CHAPTER IX.
ONE SWALLOW MAKES NO SUMMER.
Too many chaotic elements had collected together in the family of the Franks for one sun-gleam to dissipate. Even the married pair did not clearly understand their own actions.
The Judge, truly, was too much enchanted by his former beloved one; and the beautiful Emelie did all that was in her power to enslave again her early adorer.