Then she disappeared into her own room, and softly closed the door.
Flora’s eyes were shining as she escorted the party down-stairs. “She’s only gone to visit friends,” she declared. “She’ll be back.”
The McKelvey girls burst from the front door ahead of the others. They were cheerful creatures who were not to be depressed long by the scenes they had just witnessed.
Flora, standing in the hall to let the others pass, heard them shrieking joyously: “Oh, what a lovely new car you’ve got, Mrs. Harrod,” and then she heard Mrs. Harrod explaining, as she emerged into the sunlight: “A birthday present from the colonel.”
They had all passed out now except Addis, and when Flora opened the door a little wider for him he stood still an instant and looked out. The others were out there inspecting Mrs. Harrod’s new car.
Then he took Flora’s hand in his and closed the door firmly and securely.
It was fully a minute before the door was opened again, and Addis descended the steps alone.
Mrs. Harrod and the McKelvey girls forgot the new machine immediately. They were all looking at Peter Addis. And they were all thinking precisely the same thing, namely, that they had never in all their lives seen a man who looked more extraordinarily handsome and happy.
CHAPTER XXIX
THE MANSION IN SHADOW
When Bonnie May did not return to the mansion that night the fact was not commented upon by any member of the family. It was not quite remarkable that she should spend the night with the Thornburgs. That was where she had gone, of course.