y Mellen hurried through the parlors and up
the stairs, opened the door of Elizabeth's dressing-room, and entered.
There she was, standing at the window, looking out. She turned quickly,
and in some confusion at his sudden entrance.

"Is it you?" she asked.

"Yes; I have been looking for you everywhere!"

"I came up here for a moment's quiet," she answered. "I am very, very
tired; I wish it was all over, Grantley."

"Have you been out?" he asked.

It seemed to him that she hesitated a little, as she answered--

"Out? No; where--what do you mean?"

"I thought I saw you in the grounds a little while ago."

"I should not be likely to go out in this dress," she replied, glancing
down at the point lace flounces that floated over the snowy satin of her
train. "Come, we must go down stairs; our guests will think us careless
hosts."

Mellen felt and looked dissatisfied, but could not well press the matter
farther.

"Are you coming down?" she asked.

"Yes; of course," he replied, coldly. "Don't wait for me."

She walked away without another word.

"She avoids me," he thought. "I see it more and more."

The ball was over at last. Even Elsie was completely tired out, and glad
to nestle away under the azure curtains of her bed when the guests had
departed.

With the next morning began preparations for Mellen's departure; and
during the bustle of the following week, no one found much time for
thought or reflection.

Tom Fuller came down suddenly, and opened his heart to Elizabeth. He was
going to Europe; he did not ask to see Elsie; lacking the courage to
meet her again for the present--once more, perhaps, before he went away;
but not yet.

Elizabeth did not reproach the girl for her share in the honest fellow's
unhappiness. She merely said--

"Tom is going to Europe on business; he sails next week."

"Oh, the foolish old fellow," replied Elsie; "and he never could learn
to speak a French word correctly--what fun it would be to be with him in
France."

"You will miss him," Mellen said, quietly.

"Oh," replied his wife, with a forced smile, "I must make up my mind to
be lonely. I shall live through the coming dreary months as I best can."

"It's horrid of you to go, Grant!" cried Elsie.

"I know it, dear; but there is no use in fighting the unavoidable."

"Mind you write to me as often as you do to Bessie," she said. "If she
gets one letter the most, I never will forgive either of you."

As she said t