The blood rushed in hot currents over him, and he could hear the
beating of his heart: he felt somehow as if the hour of his fate was
coming. He had a wild desire to retreat, and put it off. He looked
over the end of the veranda, with some vague idea of leaping it; but
alas! it was ten feet above ground, and a lover's leap would have only
ticketed him as out of his head. There was nothing for it but to meet
his destiny like a man.

Carryl came up with the lady on his arm; and as he stood there for a
moment, in the coolest, most indifferent tone in the world, said, "Oh!
by the by, Miss Ellis, let me present my friend Mr. Seymour."

[Illustration: "Let me present my friend, Mr. Seymour."]

The die was cast.

John's face burned like fire: he muttered something about "being happy
to make Miss Ellis's acquaintance," looking all the time as if he
would be glad to jump over the railing, or take wings and fly, to get
rid of the happiness.

Miss Ellis was a belle by profession, and she understood her business
perfectly. In nothing did she show herself master of her craft, more
than in the adroitness with which she could soothe the bashful pangs
of new votaries, and place them on an easy footing with her.

"Mr. Seymour," she said affably, "to tell the truth, I have been
desirous of the honor of your acquaintance, ever since I saw you in
the breakfast-room this morning."

"I am sure I am very much flattered," said John, his heart beating
thick and fast. "May I ask why you honor me with such a wish?"

"Well, to tell the truth, because you strikingly resemble a very
dear friend of mine," said Miss Ellis, with her sweet, unconscious
simplicity of manner.

"I am still more flattered," said John, with a quicker beating of the
heart; "only I fear that you may find me an unpleasant contrast."

"Oh! I think not," said Lillie, with another smile: "we shall soon be
good friends, too, I trust."

"I trust so certainly," said John, earnestly.

Belle Trevors now joined the party; and the four were soon chatting
together on the best footing of acquaintance. John was delighted to
feel himself already on easy terms with the fair vision.

"You have not been here long?" said Lillie to John.

"No, I have only just arrived."

"And you were never here before?"

"No, Miss Ellis, I am entirely new to the place."

"I am an old _habituee_ here," said Lillie, "and can recommend myself
as authority on all points connected with it."

"