However, they did look and listen--that was the main point, and on their last opportunity they were in the opera house in great numbers.
Lorne faced them with an enviable security; the friendliness of the meeting was in the air.

The gathering was almost entirely of one political complexion: the Conservatives of the town would have been glad enough to turn out to hear Minister Tellier; but the Liberals were of no mind to gratify them at the cost of having to stand themselves, and were on hand early to assert a prior moral claim to chairs.

In the seated throng Lorne could pick out the fine head of his father, and his mother's face, bright with anticipation, beside.

Advena was there, too, and Stella; and the boys would have a perch, not too conspicuous, somewhere in the gallery.

Dr Drummond was in the second row, and a couple of strange ladies with him: he was chuckling with uncommon humour at some remark of the younger one when Lorne noted him.