Hastings, for now I am your
wife, and you are---"
Here she paused, while she stooped down to caress a huge
Newfoundland dog, which came bounding in. Then, remembering she
had not finished her sentence, she added after a moment, "And you
are _only Howard!_"
Silenced, if not convinced, Mr. Hastings walked away, wondering if
every husband, at the expiration of fifteen months, reached the
enviable position of being "only Howard!" Half an hour later, and
Ella Hastings, having left orders with Mrs. Leah for a "company
dinner," was riding down the shaded avenue into the highway, where
she bade the coachman drive in the direction of Locust Grove.
CHAPTER VII.
THE VISIT.
The plain though comfortable breakfast of dry toast, baked
potatoes and black tea was over. This morning it had been eaten
from the kitchen table; for, as Mr. Hastings had surmised, it was
_washing day_, and on such occasions, wishing to save work,
Mrs. Deane would not suffer the dining-room to be occupied. To
this arrangement the proud Eugenia submitted the more readily, as
she knew that at this hour they were not liable to calls; so she
who had talked of her _waiting-maid_ and wealthy uncle to
Mrs.
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