Elizabeth received her cordially, and with a great effort shook off the gloomy thoughts that had oppressed her all the morning. Mrs. Harrington did not heed this, she was always ready to welcome herself, and in haste to secure her full share of the conversation, and before Elizabeth could finish her rather halting attempts at a compliment she presented her companions. Elizabeth had hardly glanced at the gentlemen till then, but now she recognized the elder and more stately of the two as the person who had probably saved her life on the Bloomingdale road. "I need not ask a welcome for this gentleman, I am sure," said Mrs. Harrington, clasping both hands over Mr. North's arm, and leaning coquettishly upon him. "He is our preserver, Mrs. Mellen,--our hero." North smiled, but rejected these compliments with an impatient lift of the head. "Pray allow Mrs. Mellen to forget that this is not our first meeting," he said; "so small a service is not worth mentioning." He looked steadily at Elizabeth as he spoke. She seemed to shrink from his glance, but answered, "No, no; it was a service I can never forget--never hope to repay." "Now let me beg a welcome for my other friend," interposed Mrs. Harrington. "Mr. Hawkins. I told him it was quite a charity to come with me and rouse you up a little, besides, he is dying to see your lovely sister-in-law." Mr. Hawkins, a very young Englishman, was leaning against a pillar of the veranda in an attitude which displayed his very stylish dress to the best possible advantage. He appeared mildly conscious that he had performed a solemn duty in making a perambulating tailor's block of himself, and ready to receive any amount of feminine admiration without resistance. He came forward half a step and fell back again. "Such a charming place you have here--quite a paradise," he drawled, caressing the head of his cane, which was constantly between his lips. "I trust--aw--the other angel of this retreat is visible?" Elizabeth replied with a faint smile. She had borne a good many similar afflictions from Mrs. Harrington's friends, but it was too much that they should be forced upon her just then. "Where is Elsie?" cried the widow, with vivacious affection, shaking her gay plumage like a canary bird in the sun. "In her own room," replied Elizabeth. "Pray walk in, and I will call her." "Oh, never mind, I'll go!" said Mrs. Harrington. "Gentlemen, I leave you with Mrs. Mellen; but no flirtation, remember that!" She fluttered, laughed a little, and shook her finger at the very young man, who said "Aw!" while North seemed absorbed in the scenery. Then away she flew, kissing her hand to them, and leaving Elizabeth to gather up her weary thoughts and make an effort at entertaining these unwelcome guests. Mrs. Harrington found Elsie yawning over a new novel, and quite prepared to be enlivened by the prospect of company.