With a startled cry, she staggered and would have fallen, had not his quickly outstretched hand caught and upheld her.
Ralph was rewarded by a sweet “thank you,” and a glimpse of a pair of lovely purple-black eyes, which for a moment were roguishly upturned to his, and then vailed beneath their long silken fringes, which drooped low upon her fair, soft cheek.
“I beg your pardon, lady,” said he, gallantly, as he noted her exceeding beauty. “It was very awkward in me to be so heedless.”
“No harm done, sir, except the tumbling of my laces a little. And that my dear maid can easily remedy,” replied the girl, in clear, bell-like tones, while a deeper color suffused her face, as she noticed the look of ardent admiration.
Her manner was that of a high-bred lady, while her pure English accent showed her to be of that origin.
“May I ask is this in honor of the bridal to-night?” he cunningly asked, as he touched the finery in her arms.
“Yes,” and she laughed a little gleeful laugh; then added, “We do not often have an opportunity to grace a wedding here, so all are striving to look their sweetest and best to-night.”
“You say we; are there more young ladies like yourself here?”
“Yes, oh, yes,” with a deep sigh and a look of sadness. “There are seven, besides the poor young lady who was brought here last evening, and who is to be forced into a marriage to-night.”
“How do you know that the lady is opposed to the union?” he asked, flushing deeply.