“Come,” said Dorothy.

Will opened the door and held it for us to pass in.  Madge was seated near the fire.  When we entered Dorothy was standing with great dignity in the centre of the floor, not of course intending to make an exhibition of delight over John in the presence of a stranger.  But when she saw that I was the stranger, she ran to me with outstretched hands.

“Good morning, Mistress Vernon,” said I, in mock ceremoniousness.

“Oh, Malcolm!  Malcolm!” cried Madge, quickly rising from her chair.  “You are cruel, Dorothy, to surprise me in this fashion.”

“I, too, am surprised.  I did not know that Malcolm was coming,” replied Dorothy, turning to give welcome to John.  Then I stepped to Madge’s side and took her hands, but all I could say was “Madge!  Madge!” and all she said was “Malcolm!  Malcolm!” yet we seemed to understand each other.

John and Dorothy were likewise stricken with a paucity of words, but they also doubtless understood each other.  After a moment or two there fell upon me a shower of questions from Dorothy.

“Did you not go to France?  How happens it that you are in Derby-town?  Where did you meet Sir John?  What a delightful surprise you have given us!  Nothing was wanting to make us happy but your presence.”

“I am so happy that it frightens me,” said Dorothy in ecstasy.  “Trouble will come, I am sure.  One extreme always follows another.  The pendulum always swings as far back as it goes forward.  But we are happy now, aren’t we, Madge?  I intend to remain so while I can.  The pendulum may swing as far backward as it chooses hereafter.  Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.  Sometimes the joy is almost sufficient, isn’t it, Madge?”

“The evil is more than sufficient some days,” answered Madge.

“Come, Madge, don’t be foreboding.”

“Dorothy, I have not met the other gentleman,” said Madge.

“Ah, pardon me.  In my surprise I forgot to present you.  Lady Madge Stanley, let me present Sir John Manners.”

“Sir John Manners!” cried Madge, taking a step backward.  Her surprise was so great that she forgot to acknowledge the introduction.  “Dorothy, what means this?” she continued.

“It means,” replied Dorothy, nervously, “that Sir John is my very dear friend.  I will explain it to you at another time.”

We stood silently for a few moments, and John said:—­

“I hope I may find favor in your heart, Lady Madge.  I wish to greet you with my sincere homage.”

“Sir John, I am glad to greet you, but I fear the pendulum of which Dorothy spoke will swing very far backward erelong.”

“Let it swing as far back as it chooses,” answered Dorothy, with a toss of her head, “I am ready to buy and to pay for happiness.  That seems to be the only means whereby we may have it.  I am ready to buy it with pain any day, and am willing to pay upon demand.  Pain passes away; joy lasts forever.”