"It will be so suitable, too, for they are both rich, and stand high in society," whispered a third, with an eye to worldly prosperity.
"And she can have all the diamonds she wants," chimed in a little miss of sixteen, "for he is a diamond merchant, you know."
This remark caused a general laugh, and then the conversation turned upon the recent robbery, which was discussed at some length.
"Who would have thought of decoying Ray Palmer into Doctor Wesselhoff's retreat?" exclaimed Alice Farwell. "It was a very daring thing to do. By the way, I wonder what the reason is young Palmer did not come with his father? I can't quite believe he isn't well enough, for I saw him only the day before we left New York, and he was walking down Broadway with as much energy as any one, only he looked a trifle pale and anxious."
"I wish he would come up for the grand hop on next Monday," said Edith Brown. "He is capital company, and a delightful partner. I am going to coax Mr. Palmer to send for him. Come, girls, he has monopolized our pretty widow long enough; suppose we break up the conference and put in our petition."
The merry maidens were nothing loath to have another handsome escort added to their number, and, headed by the audacious Edith, they went in a body to make their request of Mr. Palmer.
"Well, it is too bad to have Ray miss all this," he said, smilingly, when they allowed him an opportunity to reply. "I believe it would do him good to come, and he could not help enjoying himself here," he added, as his genial eyes rested on the bright faces before him. "I believe I will telegraph him in the morning."
The fair petitioners were satisfied with their success, and, dinner being announced just then, the subject was dropped for the time.
After dinner there was a progressive whist party for an hour, at the end of which there was considerable fun occasioned by the awarding of the prizes, and after that everybody was ready for the german.
But great disappointment was expressed when they found that there was one lady lacking to enable them all to participate in the dance.