He bowed over my hand, and expressed his delight at the honor we had done him. Amidst all the claims upon his attention,--and he had a kind word and smile for every one,--he soon made an opportunity to approach the place where our little party stood, and suggesting to the Doctor the awkwardness of a gentleman being without a companion, begged me to take his arm. "I have not had an opportunity," he said, smiling, "to ask after the health of your sweet little girl, Pauline, I think is her name." "She is quite well," I replied. "That does not, I think, embrace all of your family." "Oh, no! there is a darling little Nelly at home; sister is with her this evening, as she wished mother to have the pleasure of being here." He looked at me earnestly for a moment, as if he would fain have asked a question, but dared not. For want of something better to do, he picked up a flower which had dropped from a vase, and began to analyze it, but seeing an arch smile upon my face which I could not repress, he hastily threw it aside. "You must not infer," I said at length, pitying his embarrassment, "because sister and Pauline are not here, that they do not wish you a hearty welcome; but Emily has had her trunk packed for a number of days to go a journey, and she only postponed it as an accommodation to me." Just then he was called away; but turned back to go with me to my husband, saying in a low voice, "have I your permission to make you an early call?" "I should have invited you the other day," I answered, "if you had not been in such a hurry." He had a queer look as he smiled and said, "your questions had somewhat confused me, I acknowledge. I must ask an explanation at some future time." "Ah," said I, "I rather think you will be the one who will be required to give an explanation." We had been slowly making our way through the crowd to the other end of the hall, where mother and the Doctor awaited us, for the entertainment to commence; but Mr. Benson seemed not to notice the signs of impatience from the young people, and replied in an impressive manner, "I shall only be too happy to answer any questions you may wish to ask." While waiting for the company to be quiet, Frank touched my burning cheek, and whispered archly, "I hope Emily is not of a jealous disposition." "She is a Lenox," I replied gravely.