"Do--do you think so ?" "I'm sure of it," Gifford answered firmly; and even as he spoke, he had a mental vision, in which he saw himself bringing Dick Forsythe back to Ashurst, and planting him forcibly at Lois's feet.

"I ought to have considered," he went on, looking at her anxiously, "that in your exhausted state it would be a shock to hear that your friends were going so far away; though Europe isn't so very far, Lois.

Of course they'll come and tell you all about it before they go; probably they had their own reasons for not doing it before they left Ashurst,--your health, perhaps.

But no doubt, no possible doubt, that Mr.Forsythe, at least, will come back here to make any arrangements there may be about his house, you know." This last was a very lame reason, and Gifford felt it, for the house had been closed and the rent paid, and there was nothing more to do; but he must say something to comfort her.
Lois had quite regained her composure; even the old hopeless look had returned.
"I beg your pardon," she said.

"I am very--foolish.