"Had you, indeed, forgotten the very name of your dainty little American sweetheart, Leland? Yes, it was Geraldine—Geraldine Harding."
"Oh, Heaven!" and Lord Putnam sank back to his seat the picture of surprise.
Here was a romance indeed!
It was, it must be, his own loved Geraldine of whom his mother was telling him.
They had been betrothed from their very childhood, he and pretty Geraldine. How sweet was the thought!
No wonder their hearts had leaped to greet each other the first moment of their meeting in New York.
But the thought of the mystery that surrounded her fate now forced a hollow groan from his lips.
"What is it, my son? You are not ill?" exclaimed Lady Putnam, in alarm.
"No, no; it was only a passing twinge of pain. Do not mind me, but go on, if you have any more to tell. But perhaps your story is finished."
"No, indeed, for the best part is to come," smiled the lady.