permit them to be wasted on her husband, so she smilingly carried him
off, leaving Mr Grove, for the present, to the tender mercies of
Graeme. He might have had a worse fate; for Graeme listened and
responded with a politeness and interest, to which he was little
accustomed from his wife's guests. Before he became unbearably tedious,
she was rescued by Mr Ruthven, and Mr Grove went to receive Mr Elias
Green, the great western merchant, a guest far more worthy of his
attention than any of the fine ladies and gentlemen, who only knew him
in the character of feast-maker, or as the stupid husband of his
aspiring wife.

Graeme had seen Allan Ruthven often since that first night. They had
spoken of the pleasant and painful things that had befallen them, since
they parted so long ago, or they might not have been able to walk so
quietly up and down the crowded rooms, as they did for a while. Then
they found a quiet, or rather a noisy, corner in the music room, where
they pursued their conversation unmolested, till Harry brought Miss
Elphinstone to be introduced to Graeme.

This was a mutual pleasure, for Graeme wished to know the young lady who
had long been Rosie's ideal of all that was sweet and beautiful, and
Miss Elphinstone was as pleased to become the friend of one whom her
cousins Allan and Charlie admired so much. And when she begged
permission to call upon her and Rose, what could Graeme do, but be
charmed more and more. Then Miss Elphinstone was claimed for another
dance, and who should present himself again but their host, and with him
the guest of the evening, the great western merchant! Then there were a
few minutes not so pleasant, and then Mr Green proposed that they
"should make the tour of the rooms." But Graeme had not the courage for
such an ordeal, and smilingly begged to be excused; and so he sat down
beside her, and by and by, Graeme was surprised to find herself
interested in his conversation. Before he had been a great merchant.
Mr Green had been a farmer's boy among the hills of Vermont, and when
he knew that Miss Elliott had passed seven happy years in a New England
village, he found enough to say to her; and Graeme listened and
responded, well pleased.

She had one uncomfortable moment. It was when the supper movement began
to be made, and the thought flashed upon her, that she must be led to
the supper room, by this western giant. Mr Ruthven saved her from
this, however, to the discont