nes and heliotropes made the air heavy with sweetness, and the
crimson curtains drooped in heavy folds that half hid their forms from
the curious eyes all round them. Her heart would swell like Genevieve's
as he told her in simple phrase that she was his life, his love, his
all,--for in some two or three words like these he meant to put his
appeal, and not in fine poetical phrases: that would do for Gifted
Hopkins and rhyming tomtits of that feather.

Full of his purpose, involving the plans of his whole life, implying, as
he saw clearly, a brilliant future or a disastrous disappointment, with
a great unexploded mine of consequences under his feet, and the spark
ready to fall into it, he walked about the gilded saloon with a smile
upon his lips so perfectly natural and pleasant, that one would have
said he was as vacant of any aim, except a sort of superficial
good-natured disposition to be amused, as the blankest-eyed simpleton
who had tied himself up in a white cravat and come to bore and be bored.

Yet under this pleasant smile his mind was so busy with its thoughts
that he had forgotten all about the guests from Oxbow Village who, as
Myrtle had told him, were to come this evening. His eye was all at once
caught by a familiar figure, and he recognized Master Byles Gridley,
accompanied by Mr. Gifted Hopkins, at the door of the saloon. He stepped
forward at once to meet and to present them.

Mr. Gridley in evening costume made an eminently dignified and
respectable appearance. There was an unusual look of benignity upon his
firmly moulded features, and an air of ease which rather surprised Mr.
Bradshaw, who did not know all the social experiences which had formed a
part of the old Master's history. The greeting between them was
courteous, but somewhat formal, as Mr. Bradshaw was acting as one of the
masters of ceremony. He nodded to Gifted in an easy way, and led them
both into the immediate Presence.

"This is my friend Professor Gridley, Mrs. Ketchum, whom I have the
honor of introducing to you,--a very distinguished scholar, as I have no
doubt you are well aware. And this is my friend Mr. Gifted Hopkins, a
young poet of distinction, whose fame will reach you by and by, if it
has not come to your ears already."

The two gentlemen went through the usual forms, the poet a little
crushed by the Presence, but doing his best. While the lady was making
polite speeches to them, Myrtle Hazard came forward. She was greatl