"
She hastily wiped her eyes and endeavored to assume an air of cheerfulness
and indifference, as she heard his step approaching.
"Are you ready to go down now, Zoe?" he asked in a freezing tone.
"Yes," she answered, turning to follow him as he led the way to the door.
There seemed to be a tacit understanding between them that their
disagreements and coldness toward each other were to be concealed from all
the rest of the world; in the old happy days they had always gone down
together to the drawing-room or the tea-table, therefore would do so
still.
Also, they studiously guarded their words and looks in the presence of any
third person.
Yet Elsie, the tender mother, with eyes sharpened by affection, had
already perceived that all was not right. She had noted Zoe's disturbed
look when Edward seemed specially interested in Miss Deane's talk or Miss
Fleming's music, and had silently determined not to ask them to prolong
their stay at Ion.
The supper-bell rang as Edward and Zoe descended the stairs together, and
they obeyed its summons without going into the drawing-room.
Violet's place at the table was vacant as well as that of Max, and Lulu
and Gracie bore the traces of tears about their eyes.
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