"At last! The Stranger has come at last!"
Janet was in raptures, and the Deemster said, while his slow eyes smiled,
"You are sleeping at home to-night, Victor?"
"Yes, father."
"Good!"
After saluting everybody Victor found himself walking by Fenella's side, and she was saying in a low voice, with a side-long glance,
"And how do you like me in a sun bonnet, sir? You rather fancy sun bonnets, I believe." But at that moment a wasp had settled on her arm and he was too busy removing it to reply.
At dinner that night Stowell found himself drawn into the home atmosphere as never before since his days as a student-at-law. The dining-table was bright with silver and many candles, and the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, filled the low-ceiled room with the resinous odour of the pine.
Everybody except himself and the doctor (who had arrived as they were sitting down) had dressed. The beauty of Fenella, who came in with the Deemster, seemed to be softened and heightened by her pale pink evening gown—like the beauty of a flower-bud when it opens and becomes a rose.
With Janet's complete approval Fenella had taken control of everything, and as Victor entered she said,