"Junius told us, almost as soon as he came here, that he would have to be in Washington by the first of this week." Mr Croft did not pursue this subject further, but presently remarked: "Are you and I the first comers, Miss March ?" Roberta looked from one of her companions to the other, and remarked: "I do not understand you." Lawrence now perceived that he was treading a very uncertain and, perhaps, dangerous path of conversation, and the sooner he got out of it the better; but, before he could decide what answer to make, a silent and stealthy figure appeared at the door, beckoning and nodding in a very mysterious way.

This proved to be the plump black maid, Letty, who, having attracted the attention of the company, whispered loudly, "Miss Annie!" whereupon that young lady immediately left the room.
"What other comers did you expect ?" then asked Roberta of Mr Croft.
"I certainly supposed there would be a small company here," he said, "probably neighborhood people, but if I was mistaken, of course I don't wish to say anything more about it to the family." "Were you invited yourself ?" asked Roberta.
Croft wished very much that he could say that he had accidentally dropped in.

But this he could not do, and he answered that Mrs Keswick asked him to come about this time.

He did not consider it necessary to add that she had written to him at the Springs, renewing her invitation very earnestly, and mentioning that Miss March had consented to make one of the party.
This was as far as Roberta saw fit to continue the subject, on the present occasion; and she began to talk about the charming weather, and the pretty way in which the foliage was reddening on the side of a hill opposite the window.

Mr Croft was delighted to enter into this new channel of speech, and discussed with considerable fervor the attractiveness of autumn in Virginia.