ng her absence, the
impecunious old kinsman whom she had left in charge, having a decided
preference for hunting the _Gros-Bec_ and catching trout in the lake
to supervising the methods of a troublesome body of blacks. So Therese
had had much to engage her thoughts from the morbid channel into which
those of a more idle woman might have drifted.

She went occasionally enough to the mill. There at least she was
always sure to hear Hosmer's name--and what a charm the sound of it
had for her. And what a delight it was to her eyes when she caught
sight of an envelope lying somewhere on desk or table of the office,
addressed in his handwriting. That was a weakness which she could not
pardon herself; but which staid with her, seeing that the same
trifling cause never failed to awaken the same unmeasured delight. She
had even trumped up an excuse one day for carrying off one of Hosmer's
business letters--indeed of the dryest in substance, and which, when
half-way home, she had torn into the smallest bits and scattered to
the winds, so overcome was she by a sense of her own absurdity.

Therese had undergone the ordeal of having her ticket scrutinized,
commented upon and properly punched by the suave conductor. The little
conventional figure had given over the contemplation of Parisian
styles and betaken herself to the absorbing pages of a novel which she
read through smoked glasses. The husband and father had peeled and
distributed his second outlay of bananas amongst his family. It was at
this moment that Therese, looking towards the door, saw Hosmer enter
the car.

She must have felt his presence somewhere near; his being there and
coming towards her was so much a part of her thoughts. She held out
her hand to him and made place beside her, as if he had left her but a
half hour before. All the astonishment was his. But he pressed her
hand and took the seat she offered him.

"You knew I was on the train?" he asked.

"Oh, no, how should I?"

Then naturally followed question and answer.

Yes, he was going to Place-du-Bois.

No, the mill did not require his presence; it had been very well
managed during his absence.

Yes, she had been to New Orleans. Had had a very agreeable visit.
Beautiful weather for city dwellers. But such dryness. So disastrous
to the planters.

Yes--quite likely there would be rain next month: there usually was in
April. But indeed there was need of more than April showers for that
stiff land-