Mrs. Thornton and Elsie received him with all the courtesy that well-bred people are wont to extend to a warm personal friend of the son of the family.
To a man who for eight years had been debarred from the ideals of civilization the pleasant home picture was restful and refreshing.
Possibly the lovely personality of Elsie Thornton had much to do with it.
At any rate, he found it agreeable to go there often.
“We see so little of Vance now,” Elsie said to him one evening as they sat together in the pleasant sitting-room. “You can scarcely imagine how much mother and I miss him,” and a tear-drop glistened in her eye.
“I presume you hold me largely responsible for this change in your domestic circle,” said Bradhurst, with almost a feeling of remorse.
“No, Mr. Bradhurst, we do not hold you responsible,” she answered, favoring him with such a bright glance that his blood quickened in his veins.
“And yet, by backing him in this enterprise I have actually kept him away from all the comforts of his home.”
“We do not look at it in that way. Rather we are grateful to you for what you have done and are still doing for Vance.”
“I am glad to see that you do not regard me as an undesirable factor in the case,” said the millionaire in a tone of pleasure.