For an instant the eyes were hidden under the curling lashes; then they lifted as she replied, with an enigmatical smile,—
"Not so far but that you may follow, if you choose."
Darrell bowed his head and his lips touched the golden-brown hair.
"Sweetheart," he said, in low tones, scarcely above a whisper, "I follow; if I overtake her, what then? Will I find her the same as in the past?"
Her heart was beating wildly with a new, strange joy; she longed to get away by herself and taste its sweetness to the full.
"The same, and yet not the same," she answered, slowly; then, before he could say more, she added, lightly, as a wave of laughter was borne upward from the parlors.
"But I came to see if you were ready to go downstairs; ought we not to join the others?"
"As you please," he replied, stooping to pick up the programme she had dropped; "are the guests arriving yet?"
"No; it is still early, but I want to introduce you to my friends. Oh, yes, my programme; thanks! That reminds me, I am going to ask you to put your name down for two or three waltzes; you know," she added, smiling, "I promised you two weeks ago some waltzes for this evening, so take your choice."