"You will hardly need a formal
introduction now. But, bless me, where is she? Has the November
wind blown her away?"
"I think your sist--the lady passed around to the side entrance. I
fear I have annoyed her sadly."
"Nonsense! A good joke--something to tease the little witch about.
But come in. I'm forgetting the sacred rites."
And before the bewildered Mr. Stanhope could help himself, he was
half dragged into the lighted hall, and the door shut between him
and escape.
In the meantime, Elsie, like a whirlwind, had burst into the
kitchen, where Mrs. Alford was superintending some savory dishes.
"Oh, mother, George has come and has a horrid man with him, who
nearly devoured me."
And, with this rather feminine mode of stating the case, she
darted into the dusky, fire-lighted parlor, from whence, unseen,
she could reconnoitre the hall. Mr. Stanhope was just saying:
"Please let me go. I have stood between you and your welcome long
enough. I shall only be an intruder; and besides, as an utter
stranger, I have no right to stay.
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