rm
to lead her to the carriage.

"It may be a departure," she answered; "and I must take this, perhaps
last, opportunity of thanking you for all your brotherly kindness to me.
If I should not return by six o'clock this evening, please give up my
room."

"I will do so," said Alden Lytton. "And in that case I also shall give
up my room, for I think I shall be able to get through with my business
to-day. If you should be returning to Virginia I should be pleased to
escort you back."

"Thanks! But I rather think that I shall try the school. That will do. I
am very comfortable. Thanks, very much!" she added, as she settled
herself in the seat where he had placed her.

"Where shall I tell the coachman to drive?" inquired Alden.

"Tell him to call first at the reading-room at the corner of the next
street. I wish to look at the directory there before going further."

This order was given to the coachman, who immediately started his
horses.

In a very few minutes the carriage drew up before the reading-room door.

Mary Grey--as I still prefer to call her--got out and ran into the room.

Craven Kyte was there, trying to interest himself in a morning paper. As
soon as he saw her he dropped the paper and started to meet her.

"It seems to me you have been gone four hours instead of one," he said.

"I have been gone just an hour and seven minutes, you very bad boy!" she
answered, playfully. "Now, then, I am at your lordship's service."

"Oh, my beloved, do not speak so to me, even in sport, for you are my
queen and I am your subject! Shall we go now?"

"Yes, I have a carriage at the door, with my little luggage in it."

"Come then, love."

They went out together and entered the carriage.

"Drive to the Asterick Hotel," said Craven Kyte to the coachman.

"And tell him to drive slowly, for I wish to talk to you as we go
along," she whispered.

"Drive slowly," said Mr. Kyte, giving her order.

"Now, Craven, dear," she said, as they went along, "I wish you to
understand that I don't want to stop at the Asterick longer than it will
take you to pay your bill and pack your portmanteau."

"Where do you want to go then, my darling? I am ready to go anywhere
with you," he replied.

"Then I have a fancy for spending a few days at Havre-de-Grace. It is a
very pretty place. We can take the next train and get there in two or
three hours."

"Very well, my angel, I will make every effort to catch that train."

"Now, th