Never! for though Jacquelina had paled and waned, failed and faded, until she seemed more like a moonlight phantom than a form of flesh and blood—­her spirit was unbowed, unbroken, and she had kept her oath of uncompromising enmity with fearful perseverance.  Petitions, expostulations, prayers, threats, had been all in vain to procure one smile, one word, one glance of compliance or forgiveness.  And the fate of Dr. Grimshaw, with his unwon bride, was like that of Tantalus.  And now the inconceivable tortures of jealousy were about to be added to his other torments, for this man now sitting by his side, and basking in the sunshine of her smiles, was the all-praised Adonis who had won her maiden admiration months ago.

But Thurston soon put an end to his sufferings—­not in consideration of his feelings, but because the young gentleman could not afford to lose or risk the chance of making one of the party which was to number Marian among its members.  Therefore, with a light smile and careless bow, he left the side of Jacquelina and crossed over to Mrs. Waugh, with whom, also, he entered into a gay and bantering conversation, in the course of which Mrs. Waugh mentioned to him their purpose of going to Washington for a month or two.

It was then that, with an air of impromptu, Thurston informed her of his own contemplated journey and voyage, and of his intention to go to Baltimore by way of Washington.

“And when do you leave here?” asked Mrs. Waugh.

“I thought of starting on Wednesday morning.”

“The very day that we shall set out—­why can’t we travel in company?” asked Henrietta, socially.

“I should be charmed, indeed—­delighted!  And nothing shall prevent me having that honor and pleasure, if Mrs. Waugh will permit my attendance.”

“Why, my dear Thurston, to be sure I will—­but don’t waste fine speeches on your uncle’s old wife.  How do you travel?”

“As far as Washington I shall go on horseback, with a mounted groom to bring back the horses, when I proceed on my journey by stage to Baltimore.”

“On horseback!  Now that is excellent—­that is really providential, as it falls out—­for here is my Hebe, whom I have coaxed to be of the party, and who will have to perform the journey also on horseback, and you will make an admirable cavalier for her!”

Thurston turned and bowed to Marian, and expressed, in courtly terms, the honor she would confer, and the pleasure she would give, in permitting him to serve her.  And no one, to have seen him, would have dreamed that the subject had ever before been mentioned between them.

Marian blushed and smiled, and expressing her thanks, accepted his offered escort.

These preliminaries being settled, Thurston soon after arose and took leave.

Marian remained some time longer to arrange some little preparatory matters with Mrs. Waugh, and then bade them good-by, and hastened homeward.