"Never mind, mamma, he is still suffering for his folly. I have not allowed him to forget the scene he made for us at Monte Carlo yet."
"O yes, Heaven knows you are a very happy couple," exclaimed her mother.
"But I think it is time for us to be going home," she continued, taking her costly watch from her belt. "We will go and get your husband. Come."
The three ladies went back to the garden to the table where the gentlemen were comfortably chatting over their cigars. Frank was in earnest conversation with Aunt Rosa, who in her best array, sat enthroned in the seat Mrs. Baumhagen had left only a short time before. Gertrude hastened to introduce her mother and sister to the old lady. There was no help for it--they were obliged to sit down again for a short time out of politeness. Mrs. Baumhagen, with a bored look, Jenny with scarcely concealed amusement at the wonderful little old lady.
"Gertrude," began Frank, "Aunt Rosa came to tell us that she expects company."
"I hope it won't put you out," said the old lady, turning to Gertrude. "My niece always visits me every year at this time. You have heard me say that the child is passionately fond of the woods and mountains and she cheers me up a little."
"Is it that pretty little girl you have told us about so often, Aunt Rosa?" asked Gertrude, kindly; and as the former nodded, she continued,
"Oh, she will be heartily welcome, won't she, Frank? When is she coming, and what is her name?"
"I expect her in a day or two, and her name is Adelaide Strom," replied Aunt Rosa. "I always call her Addie."
[Illustration: "Gertrude hastened to introduce her mother and sister to the old lady."]
Then she began to explain the relationship which had the result of making all the company dizzy.
"My mother's sister married a Strom, and her step-son is the cousin of Adelaide's grandfather--"
Here Mrs. Baumhagen rose with great rustling. "I must go home," she said, interrupting the explanation. "It is high time we were gone."
Jenny, who was standing behind her husband's chair, laid her hand on his shoulder.
"Why, what do you mean, child?" said he in a tone of vexation. "We have only just come!"
"Mamma? But why?" he asked, shortly. "We are having a delightful talk."