Ada were the center
of attraction. The same kindness which prompted Anna Graham to invite
Ada was careful to see that she did not feel neglected. For this
purpose Anna's brother, Charlie, a youth of sixteen, had been
instructed to pay her particular attention. This he was not unwilling
to do, for he knew no reason why she should not be treated politely,
even if she were a sewing woman's daughter. Others of the company,
observing how attentive Charlie and Lizzie were to the beautiful girl,
felt disposed to treat her graciously, so that to her the evening was
passing very happily.

When St. Leon entered the room the hum of voices prevented Ada from
hearing his name; neither was she aware of his presence until he had
been full fifteen minutes conversing with Lucy. Then her attention was
directed toward him by Lizzie. For a moment Ada gazed as if
spellbound; then a dizziness crept over her, and she nervously grasped
the little plain gold ring which encircled the third finger of her
left hand!

Turning to Lizzie, who, fortunately, had not noticed her agitation,
she said, "What did you say his name was?"

"St. Leon, from New Orleans," replied Lizzie.

"Then I'm not mistaken," Ada said inaudibly.

At that moment Anna Graham approached, and whispered something to Ada,
who gave a startled look, saying, "Oh, no, Miss Anna; you would not
have me make myself ridiculous."

"Certainly not," answered Anna; "neither will you do so, for some of
your songs you sing most beautifully. Do come; I wish to surprise my
friends."

Ada consented rather unwillingly, and Anna led her toward the
music-room, followed by a dozen or more, all of whom wondered what a
sewing woman's daughter knew about music. On their way to the piano
they passed near St. Leon and Lucy, the former of whom started as his
eye fell upon Ada.

"I did not think there was another such face in the world," said he,
apparently to himself; then turning to Lucy, he asked who that
beautiful girl was.

"Which one?" asked Lucy; "there are many beauties here to-night."

"I mean the one with the white muslin, and dark auburn curls," said
St. Leon.

Lucy's brow darkened but she answered, "That? oh, that is Ada
Harcourt. Her mother is a poor sewing woman. I never met Ada before,
and cannot conceive how she came to be here; but then the Grahams are
peculiar in their notions, and I suppose it was a whim of Anna's."

Without knowing it, St. Leon had advanced some steps towa