"I'm afraid, dear," she answered, "you would be sorry a few years hence if I didn't take my degree; and, besides, as you have asked those other men, there wouldn't be room for me."
"We could have made other arrangements," he replied, "had I been able to persuade you to go."
"Won't you dine with us at Delmonico's this evening, and go to the play?" she asked. "Papa has taken a box."
"Of course I will," he said, brightening up. "What are you going to wear?"
"Oh, I suppose something light and cool, for it's so hot," she answered.
"I'll go now, so as to be ready," he said, getting up and going towards the door to which Sylvia followed him.
A man in livery stood at the step of the phaeton. Ayrault got in and turned on the current, and his man climbed up behind.
On turning into the main road Ayrault was about to increase his speed, when Sylvia, who had taken a short cut appeared at the wayside carrying her hat in one hand and her gloves in the other.
"I couldn't let you go all by yourself," she said. "The fact is, I wanted to be with you."
"You are the sweetest thing that ever lived, and I'll love you all my days," he said, getting down and helping Sylvia to the seat beside him. "What a nuisance this fellow behind is!" he continued--referring to the groom--"for, though he is a Russian, and speaks but little English, it is unpleasant to feel he is there."