Large branching candelabra had meantime been placed on the table, and in a glow of light we stood to our feet and honoured the toast.
As I stood up and looked to the table's end, I saw the dark, restless eyes and the heavy blue jowl of Governor Nicholson.

He saw me, for I was alone at the bottom end, and when we were seated, he cried out to me,-- "What news of trade, Mr.Garvald?
You're an active packman, for they tell me you're never off the road." At the mention of my name every eye turned towards me, and I felt, rather than saw, the disfavour of the looks.

No doubt they resented a storekeeper's intrusion into well-bred company, and some were there who had publicly cursed me for a meddlesome upstart.

But I was not looking their way, but at the girl who sat on my host's right hand, and in whose dark eyes I thought I saw a spark of recognition.
She was clad in white satin, and in her hair and bosom spring flowers had been set.

Her little hand played with the slim glass, and her eyes had all the happy freedom of childhood.