"It is perhaps better so," he said, in a low tone; "you will escape an unpleasant interview, and since she is not here to annoy or ill-use you, I will take the carriage and go to attend to a little matter, while you are packing. I will return for you in the course of an hour if that will give you time."
"Yes, that will be ample time, and I will be ready when you call," Mona responded.
Ray immediately drove away, while she, after chatting a few moments with Mary, went up stairs to gather up her clothing and what few treasures she had that had once helped to make her old home so dear.
She worked rapidly, and soon had everything ready. But suddenly she remembered that she had left a very nice pair of button-hole scissors in Mrs. Montague's boudoir on the day they left for the South.
She ran lightly down to get them, and just as she reached the second hall some one rang the bell a vigorous peal.
"That must be Ray," she said to herself, and stopped to listen for his voice.
But as Mary opened the door, she heard a gentleman's tones inquiring for
Mrs. Montague.
"No," the girl said, "my mistress is not in."
"Then I will wait, for my errand is urgent," was the reply, and the person stepped within the hall.
Mona did not see who it was, but she heard Mary usher him into the parlor, after which she went to obey a summons from the cook, leaving the caller alone.