“I really must, Cousin Jane, I’ll be back in time for luncheon,” and nodding a smiling farewell to the men, Ethel whisked out of the dining room.
Fifteen minutes later Ethel opened the front door of the house with more than her accustomed impetuosity and ran into the arms of a distinguished looking stranger.
“I beg your pardon,” gasped Ethel, straightening her hat which had tilted at a rakish angle on encountering the stranger’s forehead. “The butler will be here in an instant; oh, here he is now——” and Ethel dashed down the steps.
“Do you wish to see Mr. Ogden?” inquired Charles, but his question passed unheard, as Julian Barclay gazed after Ethel;—he had found the girl of the miniature.
CHAPTER VI
AT THE JAPANESE EMBASSY
Midnight was fast approaching, but the reception at the Japanese Embassy showed no signs of diminished attendance or lack of enjoyment among the guests. Diplomatic and official Washington was present to do honor to the Mikado’s birthday.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ogden and their guests were among the late arrivals, and Ethel Ogden received a warm welcome from Maru Takasaki, who hastened to greet her, and, with an air of great pride, presented her to his wife. Madame Takasaki’s pretty face broke into a friendly smile and she shook Ethel’s hand with marked cordiality.
“You so nice to Mr. Takasaki,” she lisped, with a delicious accent. “He tell me of long white lady who teaches him.”
Ethel cast a startled look at a wall mirror which reflected back her blond beauty, and the Japanese’s description of a “tall blonde” brought a smile to her lips and her eyes danced.
“And how do you like America, O Takasaki-San?” she asked.