ovely youthful widow, who was listening to him with such rapt
attention, were a pair of happy and devoted lovers.

Thus passed the forenoon.

When the early steamboat dinner was ready he took her down to the table,
sat beside her, and assiduously attended to her wants.

After dinner, when she was disinclined to walk or to talk, he brought
out some newspapers and magazines and sat down beside her on deck and
they read together.

At tea-time he took her down to the table again.

And after tea, as the September night was cool on the water, they sat
down at one of the cabin tables and played checkers together until it
was time to retire.

And thus all day long and all the evening through, in sight of all the
people, Alden Lytton unconsciously conducted himself, as Mary Grey
intended that he should, like her betrothed lover.

In due time they reached Washington, and crossed the length of the city
to take the train for Philadelphia, where they arrived late on Thursday
night.

"Have you any preference for one hotel over another?" inquired Alden, as
they stood amid the horrible din of contesting hackmen, porters,
'bus-drivers, _et caetera_.

"None whatever," she answered.

"Then we'll go to the Blank House, if you have no objection."

"None. We will go there."

"Here's your Blank House 'bus!" shouted a driver above all the other
shouts.

"Oh, don't let us get into that crowded cage! A carriage, please,"
pleaded Mrs. Grey.

And Alden Lytton, believing her fastidiousness and timidity to be real
and not affected, and withal feeling bound to be guided by her wishes,
called a carriage and put her into it.

As they were rolling rapidly on their way to the Blank House, Mary Grey
shivered and suddenly said:

"Oh, please, when we get to that great rambling hotel do not let them
put me away off in a room in a remote part of the house by myself or
among total strangers. I always feel so frightened in a great hotel. And
I am always sure to lose myself, or do something ridiculous, or get into
trouble, whenever I attempt to find my way through the labyrinth of
halls and passages between the bedrooms and parlors. Will you please
take care of me?"

"I will take the same care of you that I would take of my sister Laura.
I will see that you have a room adjoining my own," answered Alden
Lytton, unsuspiciously, and smiling indulgently at what he thought her
childish cowardice.

When their carriage reached the Blank House h