After the benediction and the dispersion of the congregation Roma took an affectionate leave of both her clerical friends. “But as it will be nearly three months before you sail for Europe, you will surely come down here once again to see your friends before you go?” said Paul Stone. “I think I shall,” said Roma gently. “But will you not promise to do so?” “I wish I might; but I shall have so much to do.” The young minister sighed profoundly. He did not mean to betray his sorrow and despair, but he could not help doing so. “Don’t be surprised, my dear, if you find us both at the depot to see you off to-morrow morning,” said Dr. Shaw. “Oh, do not break your rest so early. The train leaves at seven,” said Roma. “Never mind. Only don’t be surprised,” repeated the old rector as he handed her into her carriage. Again she shook hands with both friends and then drove home. CHAPTER XXVIII ROMA IN WASHINGTON Roma Fronde arose very early the next morning, to be ready to secure her train. She spent but little time over her breakfast and her leave taking, and a little after five o’clock she entered her carriage, with Puck on the box, and her traveling trunk strapped behind, and started for Goeberlin station. After a delightful morning drive up and down the wooded hills that lay between the Hall and the village she reached the railway depot and went into the waiting-room, while Puck took her ticket, checked her baggage, and dispatched a telegram that she had written to Mr. Merritt to engage apartments for her at the Wesleyan and meet her at the Washington depot on the arrival of the latest train from the West. In the waiting-room she found Dr. Shaw and Paul Stone. “I told you we should be here to see you off,” said the elder man when both arose to shake hands with her. “You are so good to me always,” said Roma, smiling. “I am so glad that you have so fine a day for your journey, Miss Fronde,” ventured the younger man. “Thank you. It is a glorious day, is it not?” said the young lady, still beaming. “Much too glorious to abandon the country for the city.” “Oh, but Washington is not like any other city in the world, I think. Washington, with its broad, shaded streets and avenues, its deeply shaded parks and squares, is perfectly beautiful in May and June, when the trees are in fresh leaf and the flowers in fresh bloom—an ideal city,” said Roma with enthusiasm. “I remember it when it was mostly bog, swamp and scrubwood, and Pennsylvania Avenue was like a muddy country road, with a few straggling houses and shops built irregularly on each side,” said the old minister. “Well, then, a beautiful city has now been evolved from that ‘wilderness,’ and literally been made to ‘bloom and blossom as the rose,’” Roma replied. At this moment Tuck entered the waiting-room, came up to his mistress, and handed her her ticket and check.