out chatting demurely with a group of her friends.

Craven Kyte made a single step toward her, with the intention of
speaking; but seeing that she did not notice him, and feeling abashed by
the presence of strangers about her, he withdrew again and contented
himself with following at a short distance until he saw her separate
herself from the group and turn down a by-street.

Then he quickened his footsteps, turned down the same street and joined
her.

At the same instant she looked back upon him with a smile, saying:

"You clever boy, how good and wise of you to refrain from speaking to me
before so many strangers! Now what is the news?"

"The news is--Oh, my dear, dearest, dearest Mary! I am so delighted to
meet you!" he exclaimed, breaking suddenly off from his intended
communications.

"So am I to see you, darling. But that is no news. Come, this is a quiet
street, and leads out of the city. Let us walk on, and as we walk you
can tell me all the news," she said, smilingly, resting her delicate
hand on his arm.

"I can tell you nothing--nothing yet, but that I love you--I love you!"
he fervently breathed, as he drew her arm within his own and pressed her
hand to his bosom.

"And I love you," she murmured, in the lowest, sweetest music. And then,
after a moment's pause, she added, gayly: "And now tell me what has
brought you here so suddenly."

"Did I not promise you that I would be in Richmond this Sunday morning,
in time to attend you to church?"

"Yes, you did, but--"

"Well, I could not get in so early as I intended, because I came on by
the train that leaves Wendover at midnight. So I did not reach the city
until nearly noon to-day. However, if I was not in time to attend you
_to_ church, I was in time to attend you _from_ church. So I kept my
promise tolerably well."

"Yes; but, my dear friend, I particularly requested that you would wait
at Wendover and watch certain events, and not come to Richmond until
something had happened or was about to happen."

"Well then?"

"You gave me your word that you would do as I directed you."

"Yes, certainly I did."

"Then, seeing you here, I am to presume that all the conditions of your
engagement have been fulfilled."

"Yes, they have, dear lady mine."

"First, then, as you were not to come here until Mr. Alden Lytton was
about to start or had started for this place, why, I am to presume, by
seeing you here, that Mr. Lytton is either present in the