and a
few moments before.

"Yes, but you can be thankful that you have us at all," says Eugene, in
a tone of lazy insolence. "We only came as representatives of the great
family name whose dignity we are compelled to uphold in the absence of
the august head of the house."

Jasper Wilmarth hears this and would like to knock down the young man.

"Where is Floyd?" asks Marcia, sharply.

"Gone to Europe," says Eugene, with charming mendacity.

"Oh," cries Violet, in consternation, "not Europe! It is Baltimore."
And fearing Marcia will be hurt she adds quickly, "It was very
important business."

"Well, some one else went or is going to Europe. He was in a panic for
fear of missing a connection. And he left loads of regrets, didn't he,
Violet?"

"He left all that word with you," replies the young wife, wondering in
her secret soul if Floyd really meant her to come and why he did not
speak of it in the note.

They are in the hall by this time. Eugene nods coolly to Wilmarth, and
Violet speaks with a curious inflection, her thoughts are elsewhere,
but Wilmarth's steel-gray eyes remark that without reading the motive.

"Where has your brother gone?" he asks of Eugene. "I was not aware of
any urgent business when I saw him this morning."

"I dare say it is his own affairs. Some ruin-hunter is no doubt going
to the East, and he wants to send for an old coin or a bit of stone
with an inscription, or the missing link," and the young man laughs
indolently.

Marcia is going up-stairs with Violet. "I think Floyd might have put
off his journey until to-morrow," she says, in an offended tone. "He
did not come to the dinner, either. Perhaps he thinks we are _not_ good
enough, grand enough. You are quite sure you have not come against his
wishes?"

Violet starts at this tirade, and if she had more courage would put on
her hat again and walk out of the house.

"I am very sorry," she begins, but some one enters the dressing-room
and she goes down presently to be warmly welcomed by several of the
guests. Eugene constitutes himself her knight, and she feels very
grateful. It is so strange to go in company without her husband; she
can roam about the woods or drive her pony carriage and not feel
lonely, but it seems quite solitary here, although she has met most of
the people.

Eugene takes her arm and escorts her about. They are a charming young
couple in their youth and beauty, and more than one person discerns the
fitness.