"Yes, papa."
"Reginald was with you?"
"Yes, papa."
"It's all right, I suppose," said her father, pinching her blooming cheek; "but if I were Kate, I wouldn't allow it. Young man are changeable as chameleons, and these pink cheeks are tempting."
The pink cheeks turned guiltily scarlet at the words. Grace, looking up from her work, saw the tell-tale flush; but Captain Danton, going over to the fire to read the morning paper, said nothing.
Rose stood listlessly in her father's place, looking out of the window. The wintry landscape, all glittering in the glorious sunshine, was very bright; but the dreamy, hazel eyes were not looking at it.
"Rose!" said Grace suddenly, "when did you hear from Ottawa?"
Rose turned to her, roused from her dreaming.
"What did you say?"
"When did you hear from Ottawa—from M. Jules La Touche?"