Hope and joy beam in her eyes, a flush is upon her soft cheek, which creeps higher and higher with every passing moment, while smiles part her ruby lips, showing the gleaming pearls between.
Suddenly she starts; a happy, expectant look is upon her face, as she bends eagerly forward in a listening attitude.
Yes, she is not deceived; the sound of approaching wheels, grating upon the graveled drive-way, comes in through the open hall, and with a joyous cry she bounds out to receive her friends.
Three heavy traveling carriages drew up before the hospitable door, their glowing occupants alighted and immediately all was gay confusion; handshaking until the bones ached, kissing and congratulations.
At last all was over and settled in his or her respective apartments, and the next two or three days were given up to resting, after their long and tedious journey.
Enid did the honors as mistress, as she did everything else, gracefully, and dispensed her hospitality with a lavish hand, her heart overflowing with excess of joy in the happiness she was contributing and receiving.
One morning, soon after the arrival, she arose early, and descending the grand old stairway, went, softly humming to herself, into the library, where she intended to have a quiet hour all her own, before her guests should come down to breakfast.
The morning sun streamed brightly in through the low, open window, which led out upon a balcony overlooking the park. With a sigh of pleasure Enid seated herself in an inviting arm-chair, and lay back among its cushions, with a smile of happiness upon her sweet lips, wholly forgetful of the book she held in her hand, and which she had intended reading, and wholly unconscious that a pair of fine dark eyes were tenderly regarding her from behind the heavy curtains which draped the balcony window.
Neither did she hear a step upon the soft carpet, or realize the presence of any one, until a fragrant waxen capejasmine was suddenly dropped from above into her lap.
She started then, and looked quickly up, but flushed the deepest crimson, as she met the earnest gaze of Ralph Ellerton, who was bending over the back of her chair.