as
intensely becoming. She was not ill-dressed for the part she had to play,
for the black silk rain-coat gave the touch of the traveller to her
costume.

The door swung open before they could say another word, and the young man
remembered that he must introduce his new friend. As there was no further
opportunity to ask her about her name, he must trust to luck.

The girl obeyed the motion of the servant and slipped up to the
dressing-room as if she were a frequent guest in the house, but it was in
some trepidation that Tryon Dunham removed his overcoat and arranged his
necktie. He had caught a passing glimpse of the assembled company, and
knew that Mr. Bowman was growing impatient for his dinner. His heart
almost failed him now that the girl was out of sight. What if she should
not prove to be accustomed to society, after all, and should show it? How
embarrassing that would be! He had seen her only in a half-light as yet.
How had he dared?

But it was too late now, for she was coming from the dressing-room, and
Mrs. Bowman was approaching them with outstretched hands, and a welcome in
her face.

"My dear Miss Remington, it is so good of you to help me out! I can see by
the first glance that it is going to be a privilege to know you. I can't
thank you enough for waiving formalities."

"It was very lovely of you to ask me," said the girl, with perfect
composure, "a stranger----"

"Don't speak of it, my dear. Mr. Dunham's friends are not strangers, I
assure you. Tryon, didn't you tell her how long we have known each other?
I shall feel quite hurt if you have never mentioned me to her. Now, come,
for my cook is in the last stages of despair over the dinner. Miss
Remington, how do you manage to look so fresh and lovely after a long sea
voyage? You must tell me your secret."

The young man looked down at the girl and saw that her dress was in
perfect taste for the occasion, and also that she was very young and
beautiful. He was watching her with a kind of proprietary pride as she