"  Valerie  West."

This  note  she  left  on  Helene's  dresser,  then  ran
downstairs  and  sprang  into  the  buck-board.
They  had  plenty  of  time  to  catch  the  train;  and
on  the  train  she  had  plenty  of  leisure  for  reflection.  But
she  could  not  seem  to  think ;  a  confused  sensation  of
excitement  invaded  her  mind  and  she  sat  in  her  velvet
armed  chair  alternately^  shivering  with  the  memory  of
C'ardemon's  villainy,  and  quivering  under  the  recollec-
tion of  her  night  at  Ashuelyn.
Rita  was  not  at  home  when  she  came  into  their  little
apartment.  The  parrot  greeted  her,  flapping  his  bril-
liant wings  and  shrielving  from  his  perch;  the  goldfish

fTorprrled   liis   evcs   and   swam   'round   and   'round.      She

000  J

stood  still  in  the  centre  of  her  room  looking  vacantly
about  her.  An  immense,  overwhelming  sense  of  loneliness
came  over  her  ;  she  turned  as  tlic  rush  of  tears  blinded
her  and  flung  herself  full  length  among  the  pillows  of
her  bed.
Her  first  two  or  three  days  in  town  were  busy  ones  ;
she  had  her  accounts  to  balance,  her  inventories  to  take,

448


THE   COMMON  LAW


her  mending  to  do,  her  modest  summer  wardrobe  to
acquire,  letters  to  write  and  to  answer,  engagements  to
make,  to  fulfill,  to  postpone;  friends  to  call  on  and  to


"The  parrot  greeted  her,  flapping  his  brilliant  wings  and  shrieking
from  his  perch."


receive,  duties  in  regard  to  the  New  Idea  Home  to  at-
tend to.
