"I suppose", said John, at length, making a desperate effort to preserve a composure of manner, entirely at variance with the tumultuous throbbings of his heart, "you are confident of your father's return to-night?"
"O, yes. I look for him every moment. I am quite anxious to hear the result of the expedition".
"I am, also. I hope no harm will come to our good friend, Mr. Norton. Do you know whether he intends to spend the winter here, Miss Adèle?"
"I think he will return to his family. But we shall endeavor to retain him, until we go ourselves".
"You go, Miss Adèle", exclaimed John, unable to conceal his eager interest, "do you leave here?"
"We go to France next month".
"To France!" repeated the young man.
"My father and mother are going to visit their early home. I shall accompany them".
John, aroused by information containing so much of importance in regard to Adèle's future, could not restrain himself from prolonging the conversation. Adèle was willing to answer his inquiries, and in a few minutes they were talking almost as freely and frankly as in the days before Mr. Lansdowne's unfortunately rash avowal of his passion.