Yet he knew that it might never be possible to win her for his own. His rival, the handsome actor, might already be lord of her girlish heart.
The bustle of landing cut short any further interchange of words between them, and when they stepped on shore, Mrs. Stansbury said, in her cordial way:
"I have claimed Miss Harding for my mother's guest, and she will go with me to the ball to-night, and return to New York with you to-morrow. Now, I see mamma's carriage waiting. Will you come with us to luncheon before we go out to the parade?"
"I thank you, no, for some of the fellows are waiting for me now. But I will see you later. Au revoir!"
He smiled frankly at Geraldine, touched his cap, and hurried away, seeming to take away some of the sunshine with him, for her heart had gone out to him in a great wave of tenderness that blotted out the memory of Clifford Standish as though he had never existed.
She looked at her companion, and asked, naively:
"Why did you say I would go to the ball? I have no dress to wear."
"What does that matter? I have several sisters. One of them can lend you a white silk, I'm sure. Why, you pretty darling, I wouldn't have you miss that ball for the world! Perhaps you will meet your fate there!"