"And thereby relieved our deep anxiety. We were very much frightened when Thomas returned without him."
"I don't wonder, sir."
"You are English, I infer," said Mr. Grosvenor.
"No, sir; I am an American."
"You are not traveling alone—at your age?" said the merchant, in surprise.
"I was not—that is, I came from America with another person, but I parted from him in Switzerland."
Frank refrained from explaining under what circumstances he parted from Sharpley, partly from a natural reluctance to revive so unpleasant a subject, partly because he did not like to trouble the Grosvenors with his affairs.
"It must be lonely traveling without friends," said Mr. Grosvenor. "My daughter and I would feel glad to have you join our party."
"Oh, yes, papa!" said Beatrice.