Mr. Lyle bowed and said:
"Then I will bring him at eight o'clock this evening."
And, with another bow, he also left the party and hurried off to the hotel.
That evening, at eight o'clock, the three young ladies were seated alone together in the front drawing-room of their boarding-house. Their elderly friends were not present.
Dr. Jones was dining at the college with Alden Lytton and his fellow-graduates.
Mrs. Fanning, fatigued with the day's excitement, had retired to a dressing-gown and sofa in her own room.
Mrs. Wheatfield was in consultation with her book concerning the next day's bill of fare.
Thus the three beauties were left together, and very beautiful they looked.
Emma Cavendish, the "radiant blonde, with the golden hair and sapphire eyes and blooming complexion," was dressed in fine pure white tulle, with light-blue ribbons.
Electra, the wild-eyed, black-haired, damask-cheeked brunette, was dressed in a maize-colored silk, with black lace trimmings.