He had only a few moments to wait in the drawing-room before Miss St. John appeared.
She looked so lovely in her beautiful ball-dress that his eyes glowed and his heart beat. Before he had an opportunity to utter the words that were on his lips, the young girl's mother entered the drawing-room.
She was so gay and bright with him, that the mother wondered vaguely if she had forgotten the story which she had told concerning him.
The warning glance which she gave her daughter reminded her that she must act decorously.
The girl was very much in love, and it was easy enough for her to forgive him for having had another sweetheart.
He accompanied mother and daughter to the grand ball. He was so gay and so brilliant and so witty, that he charmed the beautiful Miss St. John more than ever, and he knew by her smiles that his efforts were not in vain.
Ainsley was the very poetry of motion. It was a dream of delight to Florence St. John, as they made the round of the magnificent ball-room, with his arms clasped about her, his handsome face so near her own.
"Come into the conservatory, Florence," he whispered; "I have something to tell you."
How strange it was the scene and the occasion did not cause him to remember that other scene and that other girl whom he had once brought into the conservatory to listen to words of burning love!
"Florence," he whispered, "I have something to tell you. Will you listen to me?"