Contrary to his expectations, she did not laugh at the picture which he drew of Mary's face, but simply said, "I know I should like her." Then after a moment's pause, she continued; "They are poor, you say, and Mr.Howard is a music teacher.

Monsieur Dupres has just left me, and who knows but papa can get Mr.Howard to fill his place." When the subject was referred to her father, he said that he had liked the appearance of Mr.Howard, and would if possible find him on the morrow and engage his services.

The next morning Ida awoke with an uncomfortable impression that something was the matter with the weather.

Raising herself on her elbow, and pushing back the heavy curtains, she looked out and saw that the sky was dark with angry clouds, from which the rain was steadily falling,--not in drizzly showers, but in large round drops, which beat against the casement and then bounded off upon the pavement below.
All thoughts of Mr.Howard were given up for that day and as every moment of Mr.Selden's time was employed for several successive ones, it was nearly a week after George's arrival before any inquiries were made for the family.

The hotel at which they had stopped was then found, but Mr.Selden was told that the persons whom he was seeking had left the day before for one of the inland towns, though which one he could not ascertain.
"I knew 'twould be so," said Ida rather fretfully, "father might have gone that rainy day as well as not.