If she had addressed him in Aramaic he would not have been more surprised; and for a moment he stared.

“I am afraid your Hero will not prove a thoroughly welcome addition to my cousin’s household.  He has no fondness whatever for dogs, or indeed for pets of any kind, and Mrs. Palma, who has a chronic terror of hydrophobia, will not permit a dog to come near her.”

He saw something like a smile flicker across the girl’s mouth, but she did not look up, and merely asked: 

“Where is Mr. Palma?”

“He was unexpectedly called to Philadelphia two days ago, on urgent business.  Do you know him?”

“I have not seen him for several years.”

She turned away, fixing her attention upon the various objects of interest that flitted by, as they rolled rapidly along one of the principal streets.  The young gentleman who in no respect resembled Mr. Palma, found it exceedingly pleasant to study the fair delicate face beside him, and not a detail of her dress, from the shape of her hat to the fit of her kid gloves, escaped his critical inspection.

Almost faultily fastidious in his Broadway trained tastes, he arrived at the conclusion that she possessed more absolute beauty than any one in his wide circle of acquaintance; but her travelling suit was not cut in the approved reigning style, and the bow of ribbon at her throat did not exactly harmonize with the shade of the feather in her hat, all of which jarred disagreeably.

As the carriage entered Fifth Avenue, and drew up before one of the handsome brown-stone front mansions that stretch like palatial walls for miles along that most regal and magnificent of American streets, Mr. Roscoe handed his companion out, and rang the bell.

Hero leaped to the sidewalk, and, patting his head, Regina said: 

“Driver, I am very much obliged to you for taking care of him for me.”

“You are quite welcome, miss.  He is an uncommon fine brute, and I will attend to him for you if you wish it.”

The door opened, and Regina was ushered in, and conducted by Mr. Roscoe into the sitting-room, where a blazing coal fire lent pleasant warmth and a ruddy glow to the elegantly furnished apartment.

“Terry, tell the ladies we have come.”

The servant disappeared, and, holding his hands over the fire, Mr. Roscoe said: 

“I believe you are a stranger to all but my cousin; yet you are probably aware that his stepmother and her daughter reside with him.”

Before she could reply the door suddenly opened wide, as if moved by an impatient hand, and a middle-aged lady, dressed in black silk that rustled proudly at every step, advanced toward Regina.  Involuntarily the girl shivered, as if an icy east wind had blown upon her.

“Mrs. Palma, I have brought this young lady safely, and transfer her to your care.  This is Regina Orme.”

“Miss Orme has arrived on a cold day, and looks as if she realized it.”