Edward l’Estrange thrust his hands in his pockets and kicked the ground meditatively with one toe.
“That seems a good deal for you to give and a good deal for me to ask. Have you really got that much money?”
“Oh, yes; I saved it out of last year’s allowance. I have kept it a secret. Clarence would have borrowed it from me. He’s always in debt. I would gladly pay it to you for going to St. Augustine.”
“Do you advise me to accept, Miss Billie?”
“Why, yes, I do,” hesitated Billie.
“All right, then, I’ll do it. I want some money so badly, that I would do almost anything to earn a hundred dollars all at one time.”
Billie, who felt that she was a very responsible party to this strange transaction, was rather uneasy after it was settled. But she knew that Edward l’Estrange must need money very much and it was a quick way to earn it.
“We’ll have to change places to-night, though,” said the American boy, “because I must go home first and see my mother if I’m to be away for two days. Come into the boat-house and we’ll change now.”
Billie waited for them, sitting on a bench by the water’s edge, and pondering on the curious situation. Overhead the stars gleamed twice as brilliantly as they did at West Haven. The air was full of sweet odors. A little breeze ruffled the bosom of the lake and stirred the palm trees. How sweet it all was! And Mr. and Mrs. Duffy, what adorable, good-natured, fat, funny souls they were. She smiled to herself and closed her eyes. The next dance had begun and the music of a waltz floated out through the open windows. She was to have danced it with some one, but, never mind, she would wait for the other Edward who would now make his appearance in the drawing-room in his real character. It was a pity he was so shy. And she was afraid, too, that he was just a little lazy.
“I believe you have this waltz with me, Miss Campbell,” said some one close behind her.