He accepted this mark of repentance with a pleased flush, and before she rode away, he had become his former cheerful self again.

The Colonel also demurred on the ground that he was getting too old for such diversions, but Polly laid her hands upon his shoulders and coaxed him into acquiescence--even a mummy must have unbent before such persuasion.

As a matter of fact though, the Colonel was only too pleased with his invitation.

It flattered him to be included with the young people, and he was immensely fond of Polly.
It struck me suddenly as I watched her, how like she was to that other girl, of eighteen years before.

There danced in Polly's eyes the same eager joy of life that vitalized the face of the portrait over the mantelpiece upstairs.