"Of course he is coming," put in Mrs. Penfield; "such people never send regrets."
"Or acceptances either, it would seem," returned her friend; "the wretch has not so much as answered, and soon it will be too late to get even an emergency girl."
"Oh, one can always scare up a girl," the other said consolingly.
Pierre entered with a little silver tray.
"A note, if Madame pleases," he announced. Perhaps had Madame pleased a pineapple or a guinea-pig might have been forthcoming. When he had retired, Madame tore open the envelope. A flush of pleasure made her still more charming.
"Hopworthy has been seriously injured!" she cried almost in exultation.
"And how much anxiety you have had for nothing, dear!" said Mrs. Penfield, rising. "So often things turn out much better than we dare to hope. What does he say?"
"Oh, only this; he writes abominably," and Clara read:
Dear Mrs. Fessenden:
I assure you, nothing less than a serious injury could prevent my availing myself of your charming invitation for Wednesday evening....