The darky showed two rows of brilliant teeth as Ray slipped a silver dollar into his hand; then with a cheerful “Yes, sir—­thank’ee, sir,” and a low bow he disappeared as suddenly as he had come.

Mona was hungry, in spite of her assertion to the contrary, and she enjoyed the rich treat that Ray had so thoughtfully provided for her, while he was full of fun and gayety, and they had a merry time up there all by themselves.

When the dancers began to return, Ray quietly remarked: 

“My darling, I am not going down to the company again; I feel guilty to have you sit moping here, while I am playing the gallant cavalier to other girls.”

Mona laughed out softly, but gleefully, at this speech.

“I trust you will always be as conscientious and dutiful, my loyal knight,” she roguishly retorted.

“You will never have cause to question my loyalty, my own,” he whispered, with a look that brought a bright color into her cheeks.

“But I have not been moping,” Mona resumed.  “I have enjoyed being here and watching the dancers very much, and you know I could not join them even if my present position did not debar me,” she tremulously concluded.

“True; I had not thought of that,” the young man said, gravely, as his eye swept over her black dress.

“So, then, if you feel that your duty is below, do not hesitate about leaving me,” Mona urged.

“I am not going,” he firmly reiterated.  “I have been formally introduced to ‘Miss Richards,’ and I have a perfect right to cultivate her acquaintance if I choose.”

Mona did not urge him further; she saw that he really wished to stay, and she was only too happy to have him there by her side; and so the lovers passed two delightful hours, watching the gay throng below, now and then exchanging fond looks or a few low spoken words, and only one pair of eyes among the multitude espied and recognized them.

These belonged to Louis Hamblin, whose eyes lighted with sudden triumph, while an evil smile played over his face as he saw them.

“I thought so,” he muttered, as he noticed Ray Palmer’s attitude of devotion.  “That would prove the truth of my suspicions, if nothing else did so.”

CHAPTER XXIII.

LOUIS HAMBLIN IS JEALOUS OF RAY.

It was after one o’clock when Mona told Ray that she must go to her room, so as to be in readiness to assist Mrs. Montague when she came up from the pavilion.

Ray was loath to let her go; he longed to keep her there with him until the last moment, but he felt that she was the best judge of her duty, and he would not interfere with it, since he had conceded the point of her remaining with Mrs. Montague for the present.

He arose to accompany her through the pavilion and drawing-room to the hall.

“Will it not be better for me to go alone?” asked Mona, fearing that she might be made conspicuous by this attention.