Something in her expression arrested Malcolm's attention: he had never seen her look like that before, her lips were pressed tightly together, and her eyes were full of sadness.

One hand was resting lightly on the statue, and Malcolm could see the gleam of the opal ring on her finger.
He feared to startle her, and yet it was impossible for him to stand there any longer.

He pronounced her name almost timidly; and as Elizabeth started violently and turned round, he could see the tears glistening in the large gray eyes.

"Mr.Herrick," in an astonished tone, as she gave him her hand--it was very cold, and trembled a little in his grasp--"what makes you steal upon us like a ghost in the darkness?
Why did you not tell us you were coming ?" "I thought it would be better not," he returned quietly.

"I wanted to speak to you and your sister about something that seemed to me important." Then Elizabeth gave him one of her quick, searching glances.
"It is about Cedric," she said abruptly--"that boy has got into trouble again ?" Then Malcolm bowed his head.