"Lord Chester!"
It was their first meeting since that night by the river, when she had torn herself from the fond arms that claimed her for his own and sent him back to renew his troth with her unhappy sister.
The memory of that moment rushed over both. They grew pale with emotion, and their voices faltered.
Precious had started to her feet, and was looking at him with dilated blue eyes. With an effort he returned to the present.
"I'm afraid I startled you entering so suddenly, but James told me to come in and wait, that he thought all the family were in."
"No, papa is at the capitol, and mamma and Ethel are out shopping. I expect them in at any moment. You will sit down and wait?"
She was not very cordial. She had not offered him her hand, but he sat down in a chair close to her, and Kay went over and fawned upon him in delight.
"My old friend is glad to see me again," he said, caressing the mastiff's great head with tender hands, and she smiled pensively and continued:
"I—that is we—were not expecting you so soon."
"The Paris made a quick trip—almost broke the record. She was not really due until to-morrow. I came immediately to Washington, hoping," reproachfully, "for a warmer welcome."