Anna did not mind the privations that followed on her own account, but
they were pitifully hard on her invalid mother, who had been used to
every comfort all her life.
After they had left New York, they had taken a little cottage in
Waltham, Mass., and it was here that Mrs. Standish Tremont had come to
call on her relatives in their grief and do what she could toward
lightening their burdens. Anna was worn out with the constant care of
her mother, and would only consent to go away for a rest, because the
doctor told her that her health was surely breaking under the strain,
and that if she did not go, there would be two invalids instead of one.
It was at Mrs. Tremont's that she had met Lennox Sanderson, and from
the first, both seemed to be under the influence of some subtle spell
that drew them together blindly, and without the consent of their
wills. Mrs. Tremont, who viewed the growing attraction of these two
young people with well-concealed alarm, watched every opportunity to
prevent their enjoying each other's society. It irritated her that one
of the wealthiest and most influential men in Harvard should take such
a fancy to her penniless young relative, instead of to Grace Tremont,
whom she had selected for his wife.
There were few things that Mrs. Tremont enjoyed so much as arranging
romances in everyday life.
"Pardon me, Miss Moore," said the butler, standing at her elbow, "but
there has been a telephone message from Mrs. Tremont, saying that she
and Mrs. Endicott have been detained, and will you be kind enough to
explain this to Mr. Sanderson." Anna never knew what the message cost
Mrs. Tremont.
A moment later, Sanderson's card was sent up; Anna rose to meet him
with swiftly beating heart.
"What perfect luck," he said. "How do I happen to find you alone?
Usually you have a regiment of people about you."
"Cousin Frances has just telephoned that she has been detained, and I
suppose I am to entertain you till her return."
"I shall be sufficiently entertained if I may have the pleasure of
looking at you."
"Till dinner time? You could never stand it." She laughed.
"It would be a pleasure till eternity."
"At any rate," said Anna, "I am not going to put you to the test. If
you will be good enough to ring for tea, I will give you a cup."
The butler brought in the tea. Anna lighted the spirit lamp with
pretty deftness, and proceeded to make tea.