uring his stay. He was to be at a party at
the Rennies' on New Year's Day, and his cousins were to be invited
also; he trusted to meet them there. The Rennies had occasionally
called, and shown the girls more kindness than any of their Swinton
friends, or their other Edinburgh acquaintances. They had spent a
fortnight, in autumn, at Cross Hall, and had enjoyed it very much.

The note from Mrs. Rennie contained an invitation for both sisters to
this party; and to girls who had been shut up so many months with no
society but that of Peggy and her relations, the prospect of spending
one evening among their equals in social position was very pleasant.
Jane anticipated pleasure, besides, from seeing and talking with her
cousin about everything and everybody in and about Cross Hall, as well
as about a tour on the Continent which he had taken. Even Elsie's face
brightened a little as she gave the last loving touches to her sister's
dress, and said that she had never seen her look better, though she was
a little thinner and paler than she used to be--to Elsie's eyes she was
quite as pretty.

Chapter XI.

Some Grave Talk In Gay Company

Francis had hoped to see his cousins before he met them at the party,
but when he called at Peggy Walker's he found that they were out taking
their customary long walk, so he met them in Mrs. Rennie's drawing-room
for the first time. Certainly the two girls in mourning were not the
plainest-looking in the room. Neither sister was beautiful, but Elsie
was very nearly so, and her recent suffering had thrown more intensity
into her expression, and made her look more lovely than ever. But it
was to Jane that Francis' eyes turned affectionately and anxiously, and
he grieved to see the traces of weariness, of care, and he even
thought, of tears, on the face which to him was the most interesting in
the world. He shook hands with her warmly, and looked inquiringly in
her face, and then drew her into a quiet corner in a window-seat, where
they could talk without being much observed. Elsie did not sit beside
them, but left them to their own conversation, assured that she would
hear all that she cared to know by-and-by; yet she was not neglected,
for Miss Rennie had taken a great fancy to her, and was determined, if
possible, to get her partners. At Mrs. Rennie's parties there never was
any scarcity of gentlemen, for they had an extensive family connection,
and Mr. Rennie was a kind and hospitab