One evening they all went for a walk in the park, where they spent an hour listening to the music and strolling about.
As they were returning, Ralph succeeded in securing Star as a companion; perchance his sister knew his design in so doing, and aided him by asking Mr. Rosevelt for his arm and making herself as agreeable as she could to him.
“Come this way,” Ralph whispered, leading the fair girl down a path at right angles to the one they had been traversing; “we shall all meet at the gate;” and Star could find no reasonable excuse to offer, although her heart beat ominously at the request.
The evening was delightfully cool and pleasant, the air fragrant with the perfume of many flowers, while the music in the distance lent its own enchantment to the place and hour.
It was just the time for Cupid to be busy with his arrows, and Ralph Meredith felt that it was an opportunity not to be lost, and governed himself accordingly.
“Miss Gladstone,” he said, abruptly, after a rather awkward silence, “I am obliged to return to New York to-morrow.”
“Are you?” Star asked, in surprise. “Is it not a sudden departure?”
“Rather. I had hoped to remain a week longer.”
“Surely your sister does not accompany you? I should miss her sorely; I should regret to lose her more than I can tell you.”
The young man’s face fell. He had not been included in her regret. But he rallied, and said, lightly: