Lissa smiled. “It has gone,� she murmured.
“Ah, that is lovely. Now we will go and walk. It will complete my cure. Shall we go down by the river and gather plums?�
Lissa assented, and Tibby noticed the brighter look that already animated her face.
When, three hours later, the twain came back to the house, their arms filled with wild flowers and plants, Lissa’s dark eyes were shining with a new interest, and the dawn of a brighter life had shone upon the darkened, despairing soul of Nathan’s wife.
CHAPTER XXIV
THE TRAIL OE THE SERPENT
“Alice, have you seen Esther McCleary lately?� Mark asked abruptly as he entered the house.
“No, I have not. She seems to avoid us since Elinor and Tibby came. I wonder if it is on account of Donald? Why does she act so?�
“I am afraid, Alice, there has been, or will be, a tragedy in Esther’s life, which will wreck it,� Mark answered.
“Why, what do you mean? What can have happened?�
“Have you heard nothing about her mysterious wanderings away from home lately?�