“Then we will all go.  A few days will not matter much with me; I have been disappointed in almost everything since leaving home, and I am about ready to go back myself.  I am sure I do not wish to keep you if you are unhappy or discontented, and so we will take the afternoon boat if you like.  I feel a certain responsibility regarding you, and could not think of allowing you to return alone and unprotected,” she interposed, a curious smile curving her lips; then she added:  “I will have Louis go to secure staterooms immediately, and you can do your packing as soon as you like.”

“It is all done.  I am ready to go at any hour, but,” and Mona flushed, “I should prefer to go by rail, as we could reach New York much more quickly than by boat.”

Mrs. Montague frowned at this remark.

“Pray do not be in such an unnecessary hurry, Ruth,” she said, with some impatience.  “It is much pleasanter traveling by boat than by rail at this season of the year, and I enjoy the water far more.  I think you might oblige one by yielding that much,” and the woman watched her anxiously as she awaited her reply.

“Very well,” Mona said, gravely, though reluctantly.  “I will do as you wish.  At what hour does the steamer leave?”

“I don’t know.  I shall have to ask Louis, and I will tell you later.  Now, I wish you would baste some fresh ruching on my traveling dress, then you may hem the new vail that you will find upon my dressing-case,” and having given these directions, Mrs. Montague hurried from the room to find her nephew.

She met him in the hall, where he had been walking back and forth, for he surmised what the nature of Mona’s interview would be, and knew that the time had come for him to act with boldness if he hoped to win the prize he coveted.

“Come into your room, where we shall not be overheard,” Mrs. Montague whispered, and leading the way thither, they were soon holding an earnest consultation over this unexpected interruption of the scheme which they had arranged the night before.

They talked for half an hour, after which Mrs. Montague returned to her parlor and Louis at once left the hotel.

He did not return until nearly lunch time, when, in Mona’s presence, he informed his aunt that the staterooms were secured, and the boat would leave at seven that evening.

“If you will get your trunks ready I will send them aboard early, and then I shall have no trouble about baggage at the last moment, and can look after your wraps and satchels,” he remarked, as he glanced significantly at his aunt.

“Mine are ready to strap, and Ruth’s was packed before breakfast, so they can be sent off as soon as you like,” Mrs. Montague returned.

He attended to the strapping of them himself, and a little later they were taken away.

Mona wondered somewhat at this arrangement.  She thought the trunks might just as well have gone with them, but concluded that Louis did not wish to be troubled with them at the last moment, as he had said.