Devereaux promised to do as she asked, and sallied forth, in reality tired of Roma's company, though too polite to show it.
About the middle of the day he called at Mrs. Clarke's hotel to convey Roma's message, and was surprised to find her father there also.
They greeted him most cordially, and Mrs. Clarke exclaimed:
"Is it not tedious, waiting by the hour for a caller who never comes?"
"Do you mean your daughter?" he asked, hastening to deliver Roma's message.
"Then she has not heard of my accident yet?" exclaimed the lady.
"No!" he replied, and with unwonted animation she hastened to pour out the whole story of yesterday.
She did not spare herself in the least, frankly describing her pride and hauteur.
"I will not deny that I was vexed and jealous, and hated her because she had rivaled Roma for the beauty prize," she confessed. "I am ashamed of it now, and bitterly repented after learning her angelic sweetness and nobility of heart."