"Well thought of, Florence. Won't you get one of the tickets? You will find them on my bureau, that is if our young friend has no other engagement."
"I have none whatever," said Mark promptly. "You are very kind, Mrs. Loring."
"You must thank Florence. If you were a few years older I should be afraid she had designs upon you. It is leap year, you know."
"Now, mama, what will Mr. Mason think of me? I am propriety personified."
Mark concluded his call and left the house, well pleased at having successfully carried out his instructions. He went back directly to the hotel, and sitting down in the reading room wrote the following letter to his employer:
"Henry Swan, Esq.,
"Dear Sir: I have delivered the diamond ring, and inclose Mrs. Loring's check for a thousand dollars in payment. She is very much pleased with it, and says it exactly suits her. I have had a pleasant journey, and expect to start on my return to-morrow.
"Yours respectfully,
"Mark Mason."
As he was writing the address some one passed behind his chair and looked over his shoulder at the superscription.