CHAPTER XXV.
GOSSAMER THREADS Mr.Muir was to depart on the early train the following morning, and was pleased when Madge opened her door at the same time and said, "I'm going to see that you have a good breakfast and a good send-off." She chattered merrily with him during the meal, ignoring his somewhat wistful and questioning glances.

"When shall we see you again, Henry ?" she asked.
"Friday evening, I hope." "Don't work and worry too much." "I defy fate now.

You've given me your luck." "Heaven forbid! Well, good-by." A little later she and two of her boys, as she called them, were off on the hills.

Mrs.Muir and Graydon breakfasted long after, and the latter observed with a frown that Arnault was still at the Wildmere table, with all the serenity of one _en famille_.
"Doctor," he said, a little later, "how much will you take--the money to be given to your chapel--to go trouting with me for a day ?" "A good round sum," Dr.Sommers replied.
"All right.

When can you go ?" "Wednesday, I guess, if I can leave my patients." "Oh, come now; go and give your patients a chance to get well." "Wait till I catch you sick, and I'll pay you up for that." "You'll stand a better chance of catching trout." The day passed much as usual, only Arnault appeared in the ascendant.
"He is going to town in a day or two," pleaded the diplomat, after dinner.
"And I'm going trouting," Graydon replied.
"When ?" "Soon." "Only for a day, I suppose." "It depends on my luck.