ntleman, too, to
whom he had been introduced by Mr. Ferris, and with whom he had
exchanged something more than the passing civilities of the moment.

To increase his pace, overtake the young man, recall himself to his
attention, and join him in his quick walk down the street, was the work
of a moment. The natural sequence followed. Mr. Byrd made himself so
agreeable that by the time they arrived at Miss Tremaine's the other
felt loath to part with him, and it resulted in his being urged to join
this chance acquaintance in his call.

Nothing could have pleased Mr. Byrd better. So, waiving for once his
instinctive objection to any sort of personal intrusion, he signified
his acquiescence to the proposal, and at once accompanied his new friend
into the house of the unknown Miss Tremaine. He found it lit up as for
guests. All the rooms on the ground floor were open, and in one of them
he could discern a dashing and coquettish young miss holding court over
a cluster of eager swains.

"Ah, I forgot," exclaimed Mr. Byrd's companion, whose name, by-the-way,
was Duryea. "It is Miss Tremaine's reception night. She is the daughter
of one of the professors of the High School," he went on, whispering his
somewhat late explanations into the ear of Mr. Byrd. "Every Thursday
evening she throws her house open for callers, and the youth of the
academy are only too eager to avail themselves of the opportunity of
coming here. Well, it is all the better for us. Miss Dare despises boys,
and in all likelihood we shall have her entirely to ourselves."

A quick pang contracted the breast of Mr. Byrd. If this easy, almost
rakish, fellow at his side but knew the hideous errand which brought him
to this house, what a scene would have ensued!

But he had no time for reflection, or even for that irresistible
shrinking from his own designs which he now began to experience. Before
he realized that he was fully committed to this venture, he found
himself in the parlor bowing before the _naive_ and laughing-eyed Miss
Tremaine, who rose to receive him with all the airy graciousness of a
finished coquette.

Miss Dare was not visible, and Mr. Byrd was just wondering if he would
be called upon to enter into a sustained conversation with his pretty
hostess, when a deep, rich voice was heard in the adjoining room, and,
looking up, he saw the stately figure he so longed and yet dreaded to
encounter, advancing toward them through the open door. She was ve