That thought came into the mind of the gentleman who came up to them from a side-path, almost abruptly. It was Ronald Valchester.
"Miss Earle," he said, "I think you promised to give me the first dance."
"I am ready to keep my word," answered Violet, with a brilliant smile.
Then she saw that the blue-gray eyes were gazing intently at her silent companion.
"Oh, Mr. Valchester," she cried, "I see you have forgotten Lina Meredith. She was at our party last summer, and went boating on the river with us one day—don't you remember?"
Some pretty lines somewhere read rushed into his mind. Jaquelina embodied the thought:
"Sweet face, swift eyes, and gleaming,
Sun-lifted, mingling hair—
Lips like two rosebuds dreaming
In June's sweet-scented air.
Life, when her spring days meet her,
Hope, when the angels greet her,
Is not more calm, nor sweeter,
And love is not more fair!"
He drew a long breath and stepped forward with extended hand.
"Miss Meredith, is it really you?" he said. "You must pardon me that I did not recognize you on the instant. I had not forgotten you, but you have changed."
She gave him her slim hand a moment, and would have spoken, but Violet seemed impatient, and tapped her daintily slippered foot restlessly.