"Where is Mr. Southard?" he asked, looking round the parlor.
"In the library, saying good-by to Aurelia," replied his wife suavely.
Mr. Lewis looked at Margaret.
"Will you tell me what she means? I don't believe her. She always puts on that truthful look when she tells a lie."
Margaret laughed. "I think you may as well dismiss the carriage," she said.
In something less than half an hour Mr. Southard and Aurelia made their appearance. They were received with great cordiality.
"I hope you liked your journey to Europe," said Mr. Lewis with immense politeness. "Is the pope in good health?"
Mr. Southard was beyond the reach of mocking. "I have postponed my journey till this lady can be ready to accompany me," he said. "And I have convinced her that four weeks will be enough for her preparation."
Aurelia went to lean on Margaret's shoulder. She was trembling, but her face showed full contentment. "I would rather be Esther than Vashti," she whispered.
"I'm delighted enough to forgive you even a greater impertinence than that, if greater could be," was the whispered answer. "I am not Vashti, though you are Esther."