And so with the young marquis also the season passed slowly and heavily away, until the day came when into his den at the office of the Liberator walked Sir Lemuel Levison.

His heart really beat faster, although it was only her father who entered.

He arose, and placed a chair for his visitor.

“Lord Arondelle, you know I knew you when I met you at Lord P.’s dinner-party, and I saw that you knew me.  It was not my business to interfere with your incognito, and so I met you as you met me—­as a stranger.  But surely here and now we may meet as friends without disguise,” said the banker, as he slowly sank into his seat.

“We must do so, Sir Lemuel, since we are tete-a-tete.  It would be idle and useless to do otherwise,” replied the young marquis, courteously.

“And now, my young friend, you are wondering what has brought me here,” continued the banker.

“I am at least most grateful to any circumstance that gives me the pleasure of your company, Sir Lemuel,” courteously replied the young marquis.

“Well, my lord, I come to beg you to waive ceremony, and go home with me to dinner this evening.  I hope you have no engagement to prevent you from coming,” added Sir Lemuel, with more earnestness than the occasion seemed to call for.

“I have no engagement to prevent me,” answered the young man frankly, but slowly and thoughtfully, for he was wondering not only at the invitation but at the suddenness and earnestness with which it was given.

“Then I hope you will come?” said the banker.

“You are very kind, Sir Lemuel.  Yes, thanks, I will come,” said the marquis.

“So happy!  Will you allow me to call for you—­at—­at your lodgings?”

“Thanks, Sir Lemuel, if you will kindly call here at your own hour, it will be more directly in your way home, and you will find me ready to accompany you.”

“Quite right.  I will be here at seven.  Good morning.”

And with this the banker went away.

“He wants me to make an article about something, I suppose,” mused the young man when the elder had gone.  “I will go.  I will see that sweet girl again, even if I never see her afterwards.”

The temptation was certainly very strong.  And so, at the appointed hour, when the banker called at the office of the National Liberator he found the young gentleman in evening dress ready to accompany him home.

Salome Levison was dressed for dinner, and seated in the drawing-room with her chaperone, Lady Belgrade.

Salome was certainly not expecting any guest.  But she intended to go to the opera that evening with Lady Belgrade, to hear the last act of Norma.  Luckily for Sir Lemuel’s plan, it was not a peremptory engagement, and could easily be set aside.

On this evening she was beautifully dressed.  She wore a delicate tea-rose tinted rich silk skirt, with an over skirt of point lace, looped up with tea-rose buds, a tea-rose in her dark hair, a necklace of opals set in diamonds, and bracelets of the same beautiful jewels.  Refined, elegant, and most interesting she certainly looked.