CHAPTER XXXIV—Heart Searchings
AS Mrs. Darlington had anticipated, the trio of young Americans were discovered in the cosy corner. Grace and Munson were engaged in a tête-à-tête that was obviously very delightful to themselves, while Merle at a discreet distance was busily engaged in watering the pot plants and flowers. She was the first to sound a note of warning.
“Here comes mother, and Mr. Robles, also, I do declare.”
The young lovers started a little apart, and Grace in a moment was demurely busy over a bit of sewing that had been resting undisturbed in her lap during the previous half hour.
Merle advanced toward Mr. Robles.
“This is delightful,” she exclaimed, as she warmly shook hands. “You will stay to luncheon, of course.”
“No, my dear. This is to be only a brief visit, I am sorry to say.”
Grace had also come forward, and he saluted her in his usual quiet, kindly manner. But for Munson he had a word of sly banter.
“Better than drilling a squad or cataloguing musty old books,” he remarked, bestowing a significant side glance in Grace’s direction.
“Infinitely better,” replied the ex-soldier and amateur librarian, with frank and unabashed satisfaction.