St.
Leon is undoubtedly waiting for you, and I would not trust my own sister with him, were she a poor sewing girl!" The door was shut in Ada's face, and Lucy returned to the parlor, where she found her father entertaining her visitor.

Seating herself on a crimson ottoman, she prepared to do the agreeable, when St.Leon, rising, said, "Excuse my short call, for I must be going.

Where have you left Miss Harcourt ?" "I left her at the door," answered Lucy, "and she is probably halfway to 'Dirt Alley' by this time, so do not be in haste." But he was in haste, for when he looked on the fast-gathering darkness without, and thought of the by streets and lonely alleys through which Ada must pass on her way home, he felt uneasy, and biding Miss Dayton good night, he hurried away.
Meantime, Ada had procured the articles she wished for, and proceeded home, with a heart which would have been light as a bird had not the remembrance of Lucy's insulting language rung in her ears.

Mrs.
Harcourt saw that all was not right, but she forbore making any inquiries until supper was over.

Then Ada, bringing a stool to her mother's side, and laying her head on her lap, told everything which had transpired between herself, St.Leon, and Lucy.
Scarcely was her story finished when there was a rap at the door, and St.Leon himself entered the room.