style="font-size:15px;"> "I am never surprised out of my memory," said the other, chuckling. "Iam poor enough in all other ways, I am sure, but my memory is good. Ican tell you where I first saw you. You were at the Catskill House, with a large party; my brother-in-law Dr. Salisbury was there, and hehad the pleasure of knowing you. It was two years ago."
"I recollect being at the Catskill House very well," said Mrs. Wishart,"and of course it was there I became acquain'ted with you; but you mustexcuse me, at the Isles of Shoals, for forgetting all my connectionswith the rest of the world."
"O, I am sure you are very excusable," said Dr. Salisbury'ssister-in-law. "I am delighted to meet you again. I think one isparticularly glad of a friend's face where one had not expected to seeit; and I really expected nothing at the Isles of Shoals – but sea air."
"You came for sea air?"
"Yes, to get it pure. To be sure, Coney Island beach is not faroff – for we live in Brooklyn; but I wanted the sea air wholly seaair – quite unmixed; and at Coney Island, somehow New York is so near, Icouldn't fancy it would be the same thing. I don't want to smell thesmoke of it. And I was curious about this place too; and I have solittle opportunity for travelling, I thought it was a pity now when Ihad the opportunity, not to take the utmost advantage of it. Theylaughed at me at home, but I said no, I was going to the Isles ofShoals or nowhere. And now I am very glad I came." —
"Lois," Mrs. Wishart said when they went back to their own room, "Idon't know that woman from Adam. I have not the least recollection ofever seeing her. I know Dr. Salisbury – and he might be anybody'sbrother-in-law. I wonder if she will keep that seat opposite us?Because she is worse than a smoky chimney!"
"O no, not that," said Lois. "She amuses me."
"Everything amuses you, you happy creature! You look as if the fairiesthat wait upon young girls had made you their special care. Did youever read the 'Rape of the Lock'?"
"I have never read anything," Lois answered, a little soberly.
"Never mind; you have so much the more pleasure before you. But the'Rape of the Lock' – in that story there is a young lady, a famousbeauty, whose dressing-table is attended by sprites or fairies. One ofthem colours her lips; another hides in the folds of her gown; anothertucks himself away in a curl of her hair. – You make me think of thatyoung lady."
CHAPTER XIII
A SUMMER HOTEL
Mrs. Wishart was reminded of Belinda again the next morning. Lois wasbeaming. She managed to keep their talkative neighbour in order duringbreakfast; and then proposed to Mrs. Wishart to take a walk. But Mrs.Wishart excused herself, and Lois set off alone. After a couple ofhours she came back with her hands full.
"O, Mrs. Wishart!" she burst forth, – "this is the very loveliest placeyou ever saw in your life! I can never thank you enough for bringingme! What can I do to thank you?"
"What makes it so delightful?" said the elder lady, smiling at her."There is nothing here but the sea and the rocks. You have found thephilosopher's stone, you happy girl!"
"The philosopher's stone?" said Lois. "That was what Mr. Dillwyn toldme about."
"Philip? I wish he was here."
"It would be nice for you. I don't want anybody. The place is enough."
"What have you found, child?"
"Flowers – and mosses – and shells. O, the flowers are beautiful! But itisn't the flowers, nor any one thing; it is the place. The air iswonderful; and the sea, O, the sea is a constant delight to me!"
"The philosopher's stone!" repeated the lady. "What is it, Lois? Youare the happiest creature I ever saw. – You find pleasure in everything."
"Perhaps it is that," said Lois simply. "Because I am happy."
"But what business have you to be so happy? – living in a corner like
Shampuashuh. I beg your pardon, Lois, but it is a corner of the earth.
What makes you happy?"
Lois answered lightly, that perhaps it was easier to be happy in acorner than in a wide place; and went off again. She would not giveMrs. Wishart an answer she could by no possibility understand.
Some time later in the day, Mrs. Wishart too, becoming tired of themonotony of her own room, descended to the piazza; and was sittingthere when the little steamboat arrived with some new guests for thehotel. She watched one particular party approaching. A young lady inadvance, attended by a gentleman; then another pair following, an olderlady, leaning on the arm of a cavalier whom Mrs. Wishart recognizedfirst of them all. She smiled to herself.
"Mrs. Wishart!" Julia Caruthers exclaimed, as she came upon theverandah. "You are here. That is delightful! Mamma, here is Mrs.Wishart. But whatever did bring you here? I am reminded of CaptainCook's voyages, that I used to read when I was a child, and I fancy Ihave come to one of his savage islands; only I don't see the salvages.They will appear, perhaps. But I don't see anything else; cocoanuttrees, or palms, or bananas, the tale of which used to make my mouthwater. There are no trees here at all, that I can see, nor anythingelse. What brought you here, Mrs. Wishart? May I present Mr.Lenox? – What brought you here, Mrs. Wishart?"
"What brought you here?" was the smiling retort. The answer wasprompt.
"Tom."
Mrs. Wishart looked at Tom, who came up and paid his respects in markedform; while his mother, as if exhausted, sank down on one of the chairs.
"Yes, it was Tom," she repeated. "Nothing would do for Tom but the
Isles of Shoals; and so, Julia and I had to follow in his train. In my grandmother's days that would have been different. What is here, dear
Mrs. Wishart, besides you? You are not alone?"
"Not quite. I have brought my little friend, Lois Lothrop, with me; andshe thinks the Isles of Shoals the most charming place that was everdiscovered, by Captain Cook or anybody else."
"Ah, she is here!" said Mrs. Caruthers dryly; while Julia and Mr. Lenoxexchanged glances. "Much other company?"
"Not much; and what there is comes more from New Hampshire than New
York, I fancy."
"Ah! – And what else is here then, that anybody should come here for?"
"I don't know yet. You must ask Miss Lothrop. Yonder she comes. She hasbeen exploring ever since five o'clock, I believe."
"I suppose she is accustomed to get up at that hour," remarked theother, as if the fact involved a good deal of disparagement. And thenthey were all silent, and watched Lois, who was slowly andunconsciously approaching her reviewers. Her hands were again full ofdifferent gleanings from the wonderful wilderness in which she had beenexploring; and she came with a slow step, still busy with them as shewalked. Her hat had fallen back a little; the beautiful hair was atrifle disordered, showing so only the better its rich abundance andexquisite colour; the face it framed and crowned was fair and flushed, intent upon her gains from rock and meadow – for there was a little bitof meadow ground at Appledore; – and so happy in its sweet absorption, that an involuntary tribute of homage to its beauty was wrung from themost critical. Lois walked with a light, steady step; her carelessbearing was free and graceful; her dress
