It was a picture that, somehow, had made
itself a sure resting-place in Graham's heart.
"We did not expect you till the late train, sir; it is close
upon dinner-time, and the ladies are upstairs in the drawing-
room, I believe," said the old butler who opened the door.
"Upstairs? in the drawing-room?" said Graham; "stop, I will
find my way, Burchett, if you will look after my things."
He ran upstairs; the house was strange to him, but a door
stood open on the first landing, and going in, he found
himself in a drawing-room, where the firelight glowed and
flickered on picture-lined walls, and chintz-covered easy-
chairs and sofas, on an open piano, on flower-stands filled
with hyacinths and crocuses, on the windows looking out on the
dark March night, and the leafless trees in the Park. No one
was there--he saw that at a glance, as he looked round on the
warm, firelit scene; but even as he ascertained the fact, some
one appeared, coming through the curtains that hung over the
folding-doors between the two drawing-rooms--some one who gave
a great start when she saw him, and then came forward blushing
and confused.
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