id storms and tempests.

Mellen, too, had laid by the suspicions which the strange circumstances
connected with his return had caused, and appeared, as he could always,
when so disposed, the most charming host possible.

Elizabeth sunned her heart in the smile which lighted up his face
whenever their eyes met, and kept the dark shadows resolutely aloof from
her mind. She was determined to be happy in spite of fate.

"Peace and rest!" she murmured. "I need them so much. I will have them
at any cost."

The day passed as such days usually do, when all parties are amused; and
though the conversation might not have been such as altogether suited
the intellectual tastes of Mellen and his wife, they were too well-bred
for any expression of distaste, and Elsie made even nonsense charming by
her brilliant sallies and buoyant spirits.

The widow had not forgotten her old ambition to fascinate Mellen, and
her efforts were highly amusing to the lookers-on. She was in doubt
whether he preferred the queenly manner and repose of Elizabeth or the
arch grace and exuberant gayety of his sister, and attempted airs which
she considered a happy medium between the two, and a most fortunate
result followed. Her efforts to support the double character delighted
Elsie immensely, who, with the usual good-nature of intimate friends,
made as much sport of her before her very face as she dared to venture
on in Mellen's presence.

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE HEIR COMES HOME.

They were all assembled in the library before dinner, tired with
laughing and roaming about, tired of rowing over the sunny waters, and
glad to rest a little before the important business of dining should
commence.

Suddenly there was a bustle in the hall, followed by a loud good-natured
voice that made Elizabeth start to her feet.

"It's my cousin Tom," she cried. "Grantley, Tom Fuller has come."

She rushed into the hall, and sure enough, there stood her cousin;
sunburned, a little thin from sea-sickness, but the same droll old Tom
as ever.

He caught Elizabeth in his arms and uttered his first incoherent
expressions of delight when Mellen came up, and Tom commenced shaking
his two hands with immense energy, as if they had been pump handles, and
nothing but the greatest exertion on his part could save the ship.

"I'm so glad to see you!" he cried. "I'm so glad to get back. I declare
I can't say a word."

"And I'm glad; very, very glad," replied Elizabeth.