“Well, well,” he added, before she could reply. “That is his business, not yours nor mine, my dear. Only,” he said, with a grim chuckle, “I shall be interested to hear how Elisha takes the news.” It was this which had troubled Esther ever since. And now Tuesday evening had arrived and, in an hour or two, unless her surmise was very wrong indeed, Bob himself would come. If he had not told Mr. Cook he must do so at once. She should insist upon it. She thought about this during supper, but afterward, when they were together in the library, her uncle made an announcement that drove every other thought from her mind. He seated himself as usual in the big easy-chair, but he did not pick up the newspaper which lay upon the table. Instead he thrust his hands into his pockets and looked at her. “Esther,” he said, “I’ve got some news for you. You’re going to be surprised. How long will it take you to get ready to start for Paris?” She stared at him in utter amazement. “To Paris!” she repeated. “Um-hum. That is what I said. To Paris, France. How long before you can get ready to start for there? I hope not too long, because now that it is settled you are going the sooner you get away the better.” She caught her breath. He must be joking--he must be. Yet he seemed quite sincere. “To Paris?” she cried. “Why, Uncle Foster! What do you mean? Are we going to Paris--_now_?” He shook his head. “Not quite such good luck as that,” he answered, with a sigh. “I had intended that we should go together. I had promised myself that cruise with you and I had counted on it. But I can’t get away for a while. My lawyers say they need me here and that I can’t be spared. But there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go. Ever since that concert I have heard nothing but what a fine voice you’ve got and that it ought to be cultivated up to the top notch. Paris is the place where they do that kind of cultivating and there is where you ought to be. No use wasting time. I have been tempted to be selfish and keep you here along with me. I’ve thought up every excuse for keeping you, but they aren’t good enough. The minute this blasted suit is tried--or settled--or put off again or something, I’ll take the next ship and come to you as quick as it will take me. But you must go now. And I’ve got exactly the right person to go with you,” he added, earnestly. She would have spoken, have protested perhaps, but he held up his hand. “No, wait,” he commanded. “Just wait and listen. It’s all planned, every bit of it.”