"Well," he said, "and where is this Armitage fellow now? Where is Anne?"
Sara laughed.
"When I last saw her she was searching for Lieutenant Armitage."
"H'mm." Mr. Wellington looked at his wife gravely. "What is it now, Belle? Have they eloped, or what?"
"I am sure I haven't the slightest idea," replied that lady yawning.
"Not interested, eh?" There was sort of a chirrup in the man's voice.
"Not the slightest," was the reply with rising emphasis. "Anne might as well marry—or elope with—Lieutenant Armitage as some one equally or more objectionable to me."
"Oh, Mrs. Wellington!" cried Sara. "Jack Armitage is eminently eligible, really. As I told you, I know all about him."
As Mrs. Wellington smiled her wintry smile and was about to reply, there was a flash of white in the doorway.
An instant later Anne had darted into the room and launched herself into her father's lap.