"Eloise is so high minded,"thought the mother complacently."She would never be satisfied to marry for convenience,like so many;"and considering herself passingly astute,she let well enough alone,ceased to bring the physician's name into every conversation,and bided her time.
One morning Mr.Evringham,coming out of the house to go to town,met Eloise on the piazza.
"You are down early,"he said as he greeted her,and was passing on to the carriage.
"Just one minute,grandfather!"she exclaimed,and how her heart beat.
He turned his erect form in some surprise,and his cold eyes met the girlish ones.
"She's a stunning creature,"he thought,as the sunlight bathed her young beauty;but his face was impenetrable,and Eloise nerved herself.
"Were you thinking of going golfing this afternoon?"she asked.
"Yes."
"I thought you said something about it at dinner last evening.Would you let me go with you?"Mr.Evringham,much astonished,raised his eyebrows and took off the hat which he had replaced.
"Such a request from youth and beauty is a command,"he returned with a slight bow.
Tears sprang to the girl's eyes."Don't make fun of me,grandfather!"she exclaimed impulsively.