Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/278

 know all about Edith Alston," I replied. "But I must defer the matter for the moment, since we are now almost at the door."

We found the venerable lady to whom our visit was due seated on the southern veranda. This not only commanded a magnificent view of the Hudson, but also received the full benefit of the evening breeze, that began to sweep up the river fresh from the broad Atlantic. The sun, too, no longer shone on this side of the house, but was distinctly verging toward the hills whose blue outline was visible on the north-western horizon. Our visit, therefore, could not be prolonged.

The old lady received us very kindly, but made no allusion in Reva's presence to the new relation in which we stood. But, Reva being sent out with her cousin Semna to view some floral novelty in the garden, I became the recipient of some sensible and kindly meant advice, not unlike that which I had received from Hulmar.

"Now," said she, as the girls returned, it is time for you two to be on the way. It is much more pleasant, besides, to be on the road on such a day as this than to be sitting still anywhere."

This was very true. In spite of breeze and shade, the heat had grown oppressive. But when speeding over the clear stretches of the road at a rate equalling that of the Mary Powell at her best, and rarely descending below ten miles an hour, the sensation was one of bracing and exhilarating coolness.

"We found time, Ziemna and I, to take a better look than before at your sister's portrait," began Reva, soon after we were on the road. Ziemna, it may be remarked,