His face lighted with love and pride as he ran his eye over her.

“Really, Mona,” he said, “you make me almost wish that I were going to see ‘Il Trovatore’ with you in Ray Palmer’s place.  You are a very queen of beauty to-night.”

Mona flushed as he uttered Ray Palmer’s name, but she put up her lips to kiss him for his compliment, and at that moment the young man himself was announced.

His eyes lighted with admiration, as he approached to salute the beautiful girl, and a thrill of delight ran through him as he clasped the hand she so cordially extended.

He was several inches taller than Mona, and a young man of singularly noble bearing, and perhaps twenty-three years of age.

Dignity of character and sincerity of purpose were stamped upon every feature of his intelligent face, and gleamed from his frank, genial eyes, which met yours with a directness that won the heart and confidence at once, while his manner and bearing as well as every detail of his dress, betrayed the thorough gentleman.

Mr. Dinsmore smiled complacently as he marked the exchange of greetings between the two young people.  He saw that Mona was deeply interested in her handsome escort, as her deepening color and drooping eyes plainly betrayed.

He followed them to the door, and wished them a genial good-night, after which he went back to his library, saying to himself: 

“I could wish nothing better for her.  If I can but see her safely settled in life, I should have little to fear for the future, in spite of the miserable past.  Young Palmer is a fine fellow, and I will favor his suit with all my heart.  Then, with my will signed and sealed, my mind will be at rest.”

Alas! alas!  “Man proposes and God disposes.”

CHAPTER V.

MONA’S APPALLING DISCOVERY.

Mona Montague was very happy throughout that memorable evening as she sat beside Ray Palmer, and listened to the opera of “Il Trovatore.”

The four young people occupied a proscenium box, and made a very interesting group.  Many a glass was turned upon them, many an eye studied their bright, animated faces, and found the sight almost as entertaining as the scene being enacted upon the stage.

To Ray Palmer’s partial eye the fair girl beside him was the most beautiful object in the world, for he loved her with all his heart, and he made up his mind to win her if it were possible.

When the opera was over, the quartet repaired to a fashionable cafe, where they had a delicious little supper, and spent another happy half-hour discussing the merits of “Il Trovatore”; then they separated to go to their homes.

“You have given me great pleasure this evening, Miss Montague,” Ray Palmer remarked, as he lingered for a moment beside her at the door of Mr. Dinsmore’s residence, and loath to bid her good-night.