Among the young ladies present were two with whom we are especially concerned. One of them was Arethusa Jayne, who was dressed with more splendor than taste. She made a profuse display of jewelry, some of which, we may confidentially inform the reader, was borrowed from a well-known jeweler, who was handsomely paid for the favor. Of course no one suspected this, and the society young men were misled into thinking that the owner of so many diamonds must be very rich. This was precisely what Arethusa desired, for she was in the market, and had been for more years than she liked to remember. Another young lady, still better known to us, was Rose Beaufort. She was the most plainly dressed young lady in the handsome parlors, yet she attracted an unusual share of attention. "Who is that pretty young lady?" asked a middle-aged lady of Arethusa. "That?" answered Miss Jayne, with a sneer. "Oh, that is Miss Beaufort, the music-teacher." "She is very sweet-looking." "Do you think so? I don't at all agree with you. To me she looks very artful, and I have reason to think that beneath her innocent exterior there is something quite different." "That is a pity." "It is not surprising. Still water runs deep, you know." Rose kept in the background. She had no wish to make herself conspicuous at Mrs. Tilton's gay party. She would rather not have been there, but did not wish to disappoint her employer. "Ah, here you are, Miss Beaufort," said a glad voice. Rose looked up, and her face flushed with pleasure as she recognized Clinton Randall. "I did not think you would find me," she said. "I was sure to do it. I have been looking for you everywhere. Can't you spare a seat for me?" Rose moved, and Clinton sat down beside her on the sofa. He had scarcely been there two minutes, however, when Arethusa discovered them. She went straightway to her aunt. "Aunt Lucy," she said, in a low voice, "look at the sofa opposite." "Well?" said Mrs. Tilton, who was rather short-sighted. "There is your precious music-teacher monopolizing Clinton Randall. Didn't I tell you?" "I am really shocked at her brazen ways. You were right, Arethusa." "For goodness' sake, separate them before the whole room notices them." "How can I do it?" "Send her to the piano." "Miss Beaufort," said Mrs. Tilton, coldly, "oblige me by sitting down to the piano. You may play a waltz." "Certainly, Mrs. Tilton," said Rose. "That woman speaks as if she owned Miss Beaufort," thought young Randall. He was about to follow her to the piano when Arethusa came up, and with an insinuating smile, said: "Don't look so mournful, Mr. Randall. Let me fill Miss Beaufort's place." "Certainly," answered the young man, moving, but not with alacrity. "I wasn't aware that you knew Miss Beaufort," said the young lady. "I believe you saw me walking with her the other day." "Yes, to be sure; it had escaped my mind."