s could be called "love of the fleshpots,"--it
was as perfect a situation as any created by any one of her favorite
novelists. She was visioning a Rarely Handsome Couple, hand in hand,
moving with slow and stately grace through the vast halts of a Mansion.

"Elinor" was a beautiful name; far more beautiful than any other name
she knew.

In short, being constitutionally unable to do anything by halves,
Arethusa fell most completely in love with the newcomer into the
family, when she might have had other feelings about her, perhaps just
as strong. But there was not the slightest trace of anything resembling
resentment in the daughter's heart that a strange woman had taken the
first place with her father; she would not have understood if anyone
had suggested to her that it might be permissible under the
circumstances. There was only a very deep gratitude that flooded her
whole being. She realised quite plainly from the Letter that it was
owing a great deal to the "New Wife" that her dream of so many years
was coming true. She had brought Ross back to America, so much nearer
to his daughter, and she had sent her, Arethusa, (sent it herself
because it was positively so stated) the money whereby she was to make
reality that long anticipated meeting.

But she did not waste much time in speculation as to the spending of
that "check for her immediate needs"; such would have been truly idle
dreaming. Miss Eliza would spend it. She would attend to the providing
of a wardrobe for the visit, and that wardrobe would be utilitarian
first and foremost, and durable. All of Miss Eliza's purchases had the
virtue of durability. For best, perhaps, Arethusa might have a silk
dress (her Sunday silk of the season before was almost worn out), but
it would be a dark blue one, undoubtedly; and one was convinced before
it was even bought that it would be a sensible dress.

Had Arethusa had the spending of the money her outfit might present a
very different appearance.

* * * * *

She had been so absorbed in her Letter that she had not noticed that
the storm had begun to increase in violence. The wind was rising again
and the rain was beginning to come rapidly through the leaves.

Suddenly, with a roar like the approach of some vast army across the
fields, it came from the northwest in a blinding sheet, and in just a
moment she was drenched. She scrambled hastily to her feet and thrust
the Letter far