Two tall glittering Venice glasses stood upon the salver, casting prismatic radiance over the silver, as the sunbeams smote their slender fluted sides, and a pair of ruby tinted finger-bowls completed the colour chord.

On one side of the table sat Mr. Palma, who had returned an hour before from Washington, and was resting comfortably in his favourite chair, with his head thrown back, and a cigar between his lips.  His eyes were turned to the mantlepiece, where since the day the portrait was first suspended, ten months ago, Regina had never failed to keep a fresh dainty bouquet of fragrant flowers.  This afternoon, the little vase held only apple-geranium leaves, and a pyramidal cluster of tuberoses; and her guardian had observed that when white blossoms could be bought, coloured ones were never offered in tribute.

Opposite the lawyer was his cousin protege, and occupied in peeling a juicy peach, with one of the massive silver fruit-knives.

“I have never doubted the success of the case; it was a foregone conclusion when you assumed charge of it.  Certainly considering the strength of the defence, it is a brilliant triumph for you, and compensates for the toil you have spent upon it.  I have never seen you labour more indefatigably.”

“Yes, for forty-eight hours I did not close my eyes, and of course the result gratifies me, for the counsel for the defence was the most stubbornly contestant I have dealt with for a long time.  The Government influence was immense.  Where have Mrs. Palma and Olga gone?”

“To Manhattanville, I believe.”

“How long since Regina left the house?”

“Only a few moments before you arrived.  It seems to me singularly imprudent to allow her to wander about the city as she does.”

“Explain yourself.”

“I offered to accompany her as escort, but she rather curtly declined my attendance.”

“And in your estimation, that constitutes ’imprudence’?”

“I certainly consider it imprudent for any young girl to stroll around alone in New York on Sunday afternoon; especially one so very attractive, so conspicuously beautiful as Regina.”

“During my absence has any one been kidnapped or garrotted in broad daylight?”

“I do not study the police records.”

“Do you imagine that she perambulates about the sacred precincts of ‘Five Points,’ or the purlieus of Chatham Street?”

“I imagine nothing, sir; but I know that she frequents a distant portion of this city, where I should think young ladies of her social status would find no attraction.”

“You have followed her then?” Mr. Palma raised himself and struck the ashes from his cigar.

“I have not; but others certainly have, and commented upon the fact.”

“Will you oblige me with the remarks, and the name of the author?”

“No, Cousin Erle, certainly not the last.  But I will tell you that a couple of young gentlemen met her on Eighth Avenue, and were so impressed by her face that they turned round and followed her; saw her finally enter one of a row of poor tenement buildings in ——­ Street.  Soon after she came out and retraced her steps.  They watched her till she entered your house, and next day one of them asked me if she were a sewing girl.  No ward of mine should have such latitude.”