Warm weather was coming, and Mrs. Delano began to make arrangements for passing the summer at Newport; but her plans were suddenly changed.  One morning Flora wished to purchase some colored crayons to finish a drawing she had begun.  As she was going out, her friend said to her, “The sun shines so brightly, you had better wear your veil.”

“O, I’ve been muffled up so much, I do detest veils,” replied Flora, half laughingly and half impatiently.  “I like to have a whole world full of air to breathe in.  But if you wish it, Mamita Lila, I will wear it.”

It seemed scarcely ten minutes after, when the door-bell was rung with energy, and Flora came in nervously agitated.

“O Mamita!” exclaimed she, “I am so glad you advised me to wear a veil.  I met Mr. Fitzgerald in this very street.  I don’t think he saw me, for my veil was close, and as soon as I saw him coming I held my head down.  He can’t take me here in Boston, and carry me off, can he?”

“He shall not carry you off, darling; but you must not go in the street, except in the carriage with me.  We will sit up stairs, a little away from the windows; and if I read aloud, you won’t forget yourself and sing at your embroidery or drawing, as you are apt to do.  It’s not likely he will remain in the city many days, and I will try to ascertain his movements.”

Before they had settled to their occupations, a ring at the door made Flora start, and quickened the pulses of her less excitable friend.  It proved to be only a box of flowers from the country.  But Mrs. Delano, uneasy in the presence of an undefined danger, the nature and extent of which she did not understand, opened her writing-desk and wrote the following note:—­

“MR. WILLARD PERCIVAL.

“Dear Sir,—­If you can spare an hour this evening to talk with me on a subject of importance, you will greatly oblige yours,

“Very respectfully,

“LILA DELANO”

A servant was sent with the note, and directed to admit no gentleman during the day or evening, without first bringing up his name.

While they were lingering at the tea-table, the door-bell rang, and Flora, with a look of alarm, started to run up stairs.  “Wait a moment, till the name is brought in,” said her friend.  “If I admit the visitor, I should like to have you follow me to the parlor, and remain there ten or fifteen minutes.  You can then go to your room, and when you are there, dear, be careful not to sing loud.  Mr. Fitzgerald shall not take you from me; but if he were to find out you were here, it might give rise to talk that would be unpleasant.”

The servant announced Mr. Willard Percival; and a few moments afterward Mrs. Delano introduced her protegee.  Mr. Percival was too well bred to stare, but the handsome, foreign-looking little damsel evidently surprised him.  He congratulated them both upon the relation between them, and said he need not wish the young lady happiness in her new home, for he believed Mrs. Delano always created an atmosphere of happiness around her.  After a few moments of desultory conversation, Flora left the room.  When she had gone, Mr. Percival remarked, “That is a very fascinating young person.”