Her lips were parted in a half-smile; the great dark eyes sought his in the calling glance which seeks its companion; and in the face and voice there was something tremulous, vibrant and pleadingly anxious. Yet she did and said only commonplaces. She gave him her hand, and threw over the lap-robe as an invitation for him to take the seat beside her. "I am glad to see you back, dear," said she, "and a little surprised." "I hardly expected to come on this train," he answered, "until the very hour of starting. I can--hardly say--how glad I am--to be here." She was silent, as she drove among the drays and omnibuses, out into the open street. He looked searchingly, though furtively, at her, and blushed as if he had been detected in staring at a girl in the street as she suddenly looked him straight in the face. "Have you been ill, Eugene?" said she. "You look so worn and tired." "I have had a very hard time of it since I left," said he; "and have been far from well." She patted him lightly with her glove. "You must be careful of yourself," said she, and paused as if to let him supply her reasons for so saying. "I hope your trouble is over, dear." "Thank you," said he. "I am sure that after a few hours in my rooms, I shall be quite refreshed. Will you please put me down at the Bellevale House? I shall beg the privilege of calling soon." "Why!" She looked swiftly at him, looked at the horse, and again at him. "Soon?" she went on, as if astonished. "I shall be alone this evening--if you care about it!" "Oh, yes!" said he confusedly, "this evening, yes! I meant sooner--in a few minutes, you know!" "No," said she, in that tone which surely denotes the raising of the drawbridge of pique; "you must rest until this evening. Who is the old gentleman who has been waiting two or three days to see you?" "Judge Blodgett, an old friend," said he, relieved to find some matter with reference to which he could tell the truth. "And the queer-looking lady--do you know her?" "Oh, yes!" said Amidon; "she is a good friend, too." "Ah!" the girl answered, in a tone which said almost anything, but was not by any means without significance. "And who is she?" "Her professional name is Madame le Claire; in private life, she is Miss Blatherwick." "I didn't see the rest of the troupe," said Miss Waldron icily; "or perhaps she's an elocutionist." "No," said Amidon, "she's an occultist--a sort of--well, a hypnotist." There was a long pause here, during which they drew near to the big brick building on the side of which Amidon saw the sign of the Bellevale House. "Also an old friend?" inquired Miss Waldron. "Oh, no!" said Florian; "I met her only a week or two ago." "She must be very charming," said Elizabeth, "to have inspired so much friendship in so short a time. Here we are at the hotel. Do you really think you'll call this evening? _Au revoir_, then."