With profuse apologies to Aura for the interruption to their call, the young gentlemen took their leave and went out to their waiting carriage, leaving Aura alone in the parlor, to dream rosy dreams of the future, evoked by the smiles of that arch-deceiver, Earle Winans.
But in the midst of her rosy vision a servant appeared at the door with the startling announcement:
"Miss Conway's compliments to you, miss, and she has gone away to marry Mr. Winans."
"What do you mean?" Aura wildly gasped; and the man, evidently in the secret, smiled broadly and replied:
"Just as I was letting the callers out at the door Miss Conway came flying down the stairs in her hat and jacket, and Mr. Winans took her hand and drew it in his arm. Then she laughed and gave me that message for you, and all three went away in the carriage together."
"Go! find my father! Bring him home instantly!" shrieked Aura, white with fury. Then she flew upstairs to her mother and blurted out the shocking news.
"Ladybird has gone away with Earle Winans to marry him—eloped!—and I told you not to let her out of your sight!" she raved, wringing her jeweled hands in angry despair.
Mrs. Stanley sat up in bed, the picture of dismay.
"Oh, Aura, I couldn't help it. All was going on well, and she was bathing my head—she had said she was too nervous to read—when suddenly that loud noise at the door made her drop the camphor bottle and spill every drop. She jumped up, and saying: 'Oh, excuse me, but I must see what that noise is about,' ran out, and that was the last I saw of the deceitful little jade!"
"Oh, if papa were only here, he could bring her back—couldn't he, mamma?"