"He would love me, whatever came--I can always depend on him."
She was thinking something of the kind, just then, while she began assorting her silks; and Tom stood meekly by, longing to repair the mischief he had occasioned, but perfectly certain that he should only do a good deal more harm if he attempted it.
Besides that, something else was in his mind--there always was before he had been five minutes in the house if Elsie did not make her appearance.
He shuffled about, answered Elizabeth's questions haltingly, and at last burst out:
"Where is the little fairy--has she gone out, too?"
"Up in her room, I fancy," replied Elizabeth.
"I don't see how you can bear her out of your sight for an instant," cried Tom; "I'm sure I couldn't if I lived in the house with her."
"There is no nonsense about it; it's just the truth."
Several times Elizabeth had attempted to point out to him the folly of going on in his old insane fashion, but either he would not listen or something interrupted their conversation. Now she determined to take advantage of the present opportunity and speak seriously with him.
"I have brought her a paper of Maillard's sweet things," said Tom; "might I call or send for her?"
He darted towards the door as he spoke, but Elizabeth stopped him.
"Wait a moment, Tom," she said; "come back here."
"Yes, of course; I'll be back in a flash--I'll just send her these traps," and he pulled a couple of tempting packages from his pocket, nattily tied with pink ribbons and got up generally in the exquisite taste which distinguishes everything from our Frenchman's establishment.
"No," urged Elizabeth, "come here first; I have something to say to you, Tom--Elsie can eat her bon-bons after."
Tom came back, rather unwillingly though, and stood leaning against the window like a criminal.
"No, no! I like to stand! Well, what is it, Bessie?"
"Tom," she said, seriously, "I am afraid you have forgotten the experience which cost you so much pain and drove you off to Europe; I fear you are making other and deeper trouble for yourself."
"Oh, no, Bessie--it's of no consequence any way," returned Tom, turning fifty different shades of red at once, "What a pretty green that silk is."
"It is bright blue, but no matter! So you wont listen to me, Tom?" continued Elizabeth.