“I’d like to offer you money, but you say you have enough.”

“Oh, yes,” Eloise answered; “more than enough.  Ruby has been so kind.”

Then he said good-by, and went back to the house, which seemed empty and desolate.

“I ought at least to have gone to New York with them, but that little girl is so proud and independent, I dare say she would not have let me,” he said to himself, and all day his thoughts followed them, until by some clairvoyant process he seemed to see them at the station alone and afraid, just as for a short time Eloise was afraid and wished she had not come.

Then, rallying, she said to herself, “This won’t do.  I must keep up,” and she helped her mother from the car, and began to walk through the long station toward the street.  Only half the distance had been gone over when a hand was laid upon her shoulder, and a voice which made her heart bound with delight, said to her, “Here you are!  I was afraid I had missed you in the crowd.”

“Oh, Mr. Harcourt, I am so glad!  How did you know we were coming?” Eloise exclaimed, her gladness showing in her eyes and sounding in her voice.

“Oh, I knew,” Jack answered, taking her satchel and wraps and umbrella from her, and giving his disengaged arm to her mother.  “I have a friend at court who lets me know what is going to happen.  It is Ruby.  She telegraphed.”

Calling a carriage, which was evidently waiting for him, Jack put the ladies into it, attended to the baggage, and then sprang in himself.  With him opposite her, Eloise felt no further responsibility.  Everything would be right, she was sure, and it was.  They were in time for the south-bound train, and after a word with the porter, were ushered into a drawing-room compartment, which Jack said was to be theirs during the long journey.

“Yes, I know,” Eloise said.  “It is large and comfortable, and away from the people, but I’m afraid it costs too much.”

“It’s all right,” Jack answered, beginning to remove Amy’s jacket, with an air of being at home.

Just then Eloise glanced from the window and saw they were moving.

“Oh, Mr. Harcourt!” she screamed.  “We have started!  You will be carried off!  Do hurry!”

She put both hands on his arm to force him from the room, while he laughed and said, “Did you think I would let you go to Florida alone?  I am going with you.  I have a section all to myself outside, where you can sit when you are tired in here.  Are you sorry?”

“Sorry!” she repeated.  “I was never so glad in my life.  But are you sure you ought to go?  Is it right?”

“You mean proper?  Perfectly!” he answered.  “Your mother is with us.  Your friend Ruby knows I am going, and Mr. Mason, and Mrs. Biggs, and everybody else by this time.  It’s all right.  Mrs. Grundy will approve.”