s, as, unable to refuse, she suffered herself to be led
through the crowded rooms, past Lady Rea, who nodded and smiled--past
Aunt Matty, who came up, tapped the Captain on the middle shirt stud
with her fan, and pinched her niece's cheek, as she smiled at her like a
wintry apple--past Sir Hampton, who came behind her, and whispered, a
faint "Er-rum."

"Thank you, Tiny: good girl!"--out on to the great broad staircase, now
a complete conservatory of exotics where the air was perfectly cool by
comparison; and there Vanleigh found her a seat smiling occasionally at
the new-comers who kept thronging upstairs to where Lady Rea was
receiving--Sir Hampton now keeping an eye upon the couple, a flight of
stain below him, and nodding encouragement whenever his eyes met those
of his child.

"I received Sir Hampton's note yesterday," said Vanleigh at last,
speaking slowly, and in a suppressed voice, as the guests passed on.
"Don't start--I am not going to make a scene. I only wish to tell you
how happy you have made me, and that you shall find me patient and
watchful of your every wish."

"Masterly inactivity," thought Tiny.

"I am going to wait--to let you see that heretofore you have misjudged
me. And now let me assure you that I am not going to presume upon the
consent I have received."

He waited, and she felt obliged to speak.

"Captain Vanleigh," faltered Tiny, "it was at my father's wish that I
gave way, and consented to receive your visits. It is only fair to tell
you that you are seeking to gain one who does not--who can never care
for you."

"My dear Valentina," he said, smiling, "I am quite content. I know your
sweet, gentle nature better than you know it yourself. And now for
once, and once only, I am going to revert to an unpleasant theme,
begging you first to forgive me for touching a wound that I know still
throbs."

"Captain Vanleigh!"

"It is odd, is it not," he said, speaking with a mingling of profound
tenderness and respect--"this talking of such things in a crowd? I only
wished to say this once, that you do not know me. I am going to prove
my love by patience. Valentina, dearest, you have been wasting the
sweetness of your heart on an unworthy object."

She tried to rise; but his hand rested on her arm, and detained her.

"I pain you; but I must tell you, sweet one, that he whom you cared for,
no sooner left your side than he sought consolation with another,
forsaking a love that is meet