Laura Lytton, the stout, wholesome, brown-haired and brown-eyed lassie, wore a blue barége trimmed, like Electra's dress, with black lace.
The room was brilliant with gas-light, and they were waiting for their friends and visitors.
Dr. Jones had promised to return, and bring Alden with him, by eight o'clock at latest. And Mr. Lyle had promised to come and bring "the Californian."
The clock struck eight and with dramatic punctuality the bell rang.
The next moment the little page of the establishment opened the drawing-room door and announced:
"Mr. Lyle and a gemman."
Chapter XVIII.
AN INTRODUCTION.
The three young ladies looked up, to see Mr. Lyle enter the room, accompanied by a tall, finely-formed, dark-complexioned man, with deep dark eyes, and black hair and full black beard, both lightly streaked with silver, which, together with a slight stoop, gave him the appearance of being much older than he really was.