t was going on within the room. But Mr. Louis Hamblin
was very keen. He knew from her manner that something unusual was
occurring, and so he boldly pushed on after her, and entered the chamber
before she was aware of his intention.

He stopped suddenly, however, the moment he had crossed the threshold,
stricken with astonishment, as his glance rested upon Mona.

He had known that the girl was unusually lovely, but he was not quite
prepared to see such a vision of beauty as now greeted his eyes.

"Jove! Aunt Marg, isn't she a stunner?" he cried, under his breath. "You
won't see one at the ball Monday night that can hold a candle to her!"

Mona had flushed a vivid scarlet when he had so unceremoniously forced
his way into the room; but at his bold compliment she turned haughtily
away from his gaze with the air of an offended queen.

Her bearing, though full of scorn, was replete with grace and dignity,
while the voluminous train of the rich dress made her slender form seem
even taller and more regal than it really was.

Mrs. Montague had been no less impressed with the young girl's beauty,
but it would have affected her no more than that of a wax figure would
have done had no one else been present to remark it. Now, however, at
Louis' high praise, a feeling of envy sprang up in her heart, and a frown
of annoyance gathered on her brow.

"I wish you would go out, Louis," she said, sharply. "It is very rude of
you to thus force yourself into my room."

"Come now, Aunt Marg, that's a good one, when all my life I have been in
the habit of running in and out of your room, to do your bidding like a
lackey," the young man retorted, mockingly. "But really this is an
unexpected treat," he added, wickedly. "Miss Richards, in these fine
togs, is the most beautiful woman that I have ever seen. And--'pon my
word, Aunt Marg, I really believe she looks like--"

"Louis!" came in a sharp, warning cry from Mrs. Montague's lips, as she
wheeled around upon him, her blazing eyes having a dangerous gleam in
them.

"Like--a _picture_ that I have seen somewhere," he quietly finished, but
with a meaning smile and intonation. "How you do snap a fellow up, Aunt
Margie! Here, give me the money, and I will clear out before another
blast!"

Mrs. Montague handed him a roll of bills, telling him in an icy tone to
be sure and get back as early as possible on Monday; and then, as he beat
a retreat before her offended looks, she sharply shut the