She heard the door-bell ring, and heard the sound of cheery voices and descended to the parlor to meet Miss Lura De Cormis. Paul met her at the door and led her to the alcove window where the young lady stood, so absorbed in reading a letter just received from her father that she did not hear Hilda’s step upon the soft carpet.
The introduction was given and when Hilda looked upon the face of the future Mrs. Paul Warfield she saw a younger and fairer, but with those exceptions, a living image of Jerusha Flint.
CHAPTER IX—AT THE GYPSY ENCAMPMENT
It was evening of a cloudless day when Paul and Hilda reached the Warfield farmhouse, which was looking charmingly picturesque in the ruby-red glow of the sunset.
The flowers in the lawn were giving out their sweetness, and birds in the maples were singing their vesper songs as if in greeting to the travelers.
Mrs. Warfield’s welcome to both was tenderly kind, and the marked resemblance she bore to Mrs. Ashley was a joy to Hilda.
Separated from those whose loving kindness had made life a holiday to her, she had again found a home and a mother.
“I will not weary you, my dear, by questioning now, but will give you the opportunity to refresh yourself after your journey,” said Mrs. Warfield, and, conducting Hilda to a pleasant room adjoining her own, she left her to herself and returned to the parlor to talk with Paul.
“Her beauty quite bewildered me, it was so unexpected,” she said, laying her hand upon his shoulder as he sat by the window, newspaper in hand.
“Yes, and the Merrymans spoke of the sweetness of her disposition. She will be a charming companion for you, mother.”