"Good-evening, Agnes."
Agnes Darling held out her hand, with a look of bright pleasure.
"I am glad to see you again, Doctor Danton; and Tiger, too."
"Thanks. I thought I should find you sewing here. Have you ever left off, night or day, since I left?"
She smiled, and resumed her work.
"I like to be busy; it keeps me from thinking. Not that I have been very busy of late."
"Of course not; the wedding-garments weren't wanted, were they? and all the trousseaux vanity and vexation of spirit. You see others in the world came to grief besides yourself, Miss Darling. Am I expected?"
"Yes; a week ago."
"Who's in the house?"
"I don't know exactly. Miss Danton is in the orchard, I think, with a book; Eeny is away for the day at Miss Howard's and the Captain went up the village an hour ago. I dare say they will all be back for dinner."