The Shellbeach tea-parties were early affairs, and at ten o'clock the guests reluctantly departed, almost all driving home to Sealing, and a few from the neighboring houses walking slowly along the road, with the sweet notes of the music still in their ears. Dr. James lingered. Why, he could not have told; and it was with a start that, turning away from the window, he saw that he was the very last. He apologized; but Miss Selina coming to him, kindly took his hand,
"You are a true friend, you know, Dr. James," she said, "and should feel yourself at home."
Margaret was at the door, bidding good-night to the last guests, when the doctor, after warmly shaking Miss Spelman's hand, came into the hall for his hat. She walked with him down the little path to the front gate, while the air of the "Last Rose of Summer" came to them from the garden, and for the first time that evening he saw that her face was serious.
"I would like to walk home with you, in this lovely moonlight," she said.
"Well, will you not come? I will gladly accompany you back."
"No; there will not be time. You forget that you and I have an engagement at eleven o'clock this evening." Then, as he did not know how to reply, she continued, "I shall send you a note, to-morrow morning, at seven, and the boy will bring me back, not an answer, for it will not be that, but a corresponding note from you."
"Yes, Miss Lester, it shall be ready, if you say so."
"I do. Good night, Dr. James. Give me your hand; we are friends, are we not?"
"I believe we are. Yes, Miss Lester, I know we are friends to-night."
"And we shall be friends to-morrow; remember that I say so. Good-night."