“Oh, they are only getting ready for the floral decorations,” she said, “we give a reception to-morrow in honor of your return.  How well you are looking, Louis.  I am so delighted to have you at home.”

“Thanks, lady mother.  I do not need to ask how you have survived my absence.  How is Evadne,—­and the Judge and the girls?”

His mother laughed again as she drew him on the sofa beside her.  She seemed in wonderfully good humor.  “Rather a comprehensive question,” she said.  “Sit down and we will have a comfortable talk before the others get home.  Your father looks wretchedly but he says there is nothing the matter.  I suppose it is just overwork and the usual money strain.  Isabelle too is not as well as I should like her to be.  Suffers from nervousness a great deal, and depression.  There is a new physician here now, a Doctor Randolph, who we think is going to help her, although he is very young; but she took a dislike to Doctor Russe because he belongs to the old school.  And now I have a surprise for you.  Marion is engaged!”

“Engaged!  Why, you never hinted at it in your letters!”

“It has all been very sudden.  I wrote you there was a young New Yorker very attentive to her.”

“Yes, but that is an old story.  There were two fellows ‘very attentive’ when I went away.  How long since the present devotion culminated?”

“Just a week ago to-night:  and they are so devoted!”

“A second Romeo and Juliet, eh?”—­Louis’ laugh had a bitter ring,—­“By the way, what is his name?”

“Simpson Kennard.”

“Brother Simp!  Rich, I suppose?”

“Oh, yes, very.  In fact he is eligible in every way.”

“I see,” yawned Louis, “Possessed of all the cardinal virtues.  It is a good thing his wealth is not all in his pockets, for they are apt to spring a leak.  But Evadne—­how is she?”

“Oh, she is always well, you know,” said his mother carelessly.  “There they come now.”

“These Indian famines are a terrible business,” said Judge Hildreth as they lingered over their dessert that evening.  It was pleasant to have Louis and Evadne back again.  He too was glad to see his son so well.  “I don’t see what the end is going to be.”

“People say that about every calamity, Papa,” said Isabelle, “but the world goes on just the same.”

“Of course it does, Isabelle,” said her brother.  “You see we can’t waste time over a few dying millions when we have to give a reception for instance.”

“But that is a necessity, Louis,” said Mrs. Hildreth, “we must pay our debts to society, you know.”

“I am sure I don’t see where I could economize,” sighed Marion.  “That lecturer last night was splendid and I would like to have given him thousands but I hadn’t a dollar in my purse.  I never have.  I spent my last cent for chocolates yesterday.”

Evadne smiled and sighed but said nothing.  The lecturer the night before had felt his soul strangely stirred at the sight of her glowing face, and the plate when it passed her seat had borne a shining gold piece, but perhaps she had not as many temptations as Marion and Isabelle.