It was Friday evening. Mr. Read
was to call on her. She felt a prickle
of excitement at the thought of
seeing him again. The week had
flown by quickly. It seemed only
a moment ago when she had
surprised him in the library
where he was composing a
note which he gave to her.
After reading what it said,
she set about writing a reply
and mailed it that very after-
noon. She wanted to make
sure he received it before
Friday evening when he
was to stop by.
She stood by the window
now eagerly watching for
his arrival. Her family
were already in the
drawing-room where she
was to receive him. She
ran her hands nervously
over the bodice of her dress.
Her mother assured her
that she looked “very pretty
indeed” when she came up
to her room to inspect her
a few moments ago.
Her heart skipped a beat when
she saw the familiar figure on
the horse coming up the road.
She hurried from her room,
wanting to be in the drawing-
room when he was admitted
to it.
By the time she ran down the
stairs and was seated on the
chair facing the door, she was
out of breath.
“My Ellen, how lovely you look,”
her mother gushed. “However,
Dear, you really shouldn’t be
rushing about the place. Now
you are panting as if you have
been running for miles. Do try
to compose yourself before Mr.
Read arrives–”
Just then Bessie came to the door-
way and announced, “Mr. Read, Sir,”
addressing Ellen’s father.
“Mr. Read,” he greeted him jovially.
“How delightful to see you.”
“Good evening, Mr. Turner,”
Mr. Read replied as he went
forward and extended his hand
to the older gentleman. “Thank
you for allowing me the pleasure
of visiting you and your family.”
He bowed to Mrs. Turner and her
two younger daughters before
his eyes shifted to Ellen and
remained there. “Miss Turner,”
he said softly as he bowed.
She lowered her head in
greeting, “Mr. Read.”
Their eyes held for a moment
before he sat in the vacant
chair next to hers. “Mr. Read,
I do hope you will join us for
dinner,” Mrs. Turner said. “That
is if you have no other plans.”
He smiled. “I have no other
plans, Madam and would be
delighted to join your family
and you for dinner. Thank you.”
“And how are Mr. and Mrs. Read?
“They are doing well, thank you.”
For a while the conversation was
between Mr. Read and her mother
and then her father but she hardly
spoke, except to ask her suitor how
he was and if he was enjoying the
balmy weather they were having.
Then dinner was announced
and as they filed out of the room,
Mr. Read offered his arm to Ellen
and she took it, her eyes shy as
they met his. “I hope that you
will do me the honor of going for
a walk with me tomorrow afternoon,”
he said.
“I would be delighted,” she said. “My
sisters will accompany us.”
“Very good then.” And they went
into dinner.
