But notwithstanding his promise, the train on which he left New Haven was delayed two hours, and he did not arrive at Vassar until after the exercises were opened, and so had no opportunity to see Gladys before, as he intended to do. An usher led him into the crowded room, but the only available seat was far in the rear, and so situated that he could scarcely see or be seen. One of the graduating class was singing as he entered, and for a few moments his attention was arrested by the young amateur who gave promise of becoming something more by and by. But presently his eyes began to wander about in search of Gladys, for she, of course, was the center of attraction for him. She was sitting near one end of the platform, at the head of her class, and looking fairer than he had ever seen her, in her virgin white. Her dress was of finest Indian mull, sheer and fleecy as a summer cloud. It was very simple, yet daintily made, one gauzy thickness alone shading her snowy neck and rounded arms, which gleamed fair as alabaster beneath. She wore no ornaments save a string of costly pearls around her neck and a bunch of snowballs in her silken belt. Her face was slightly flushed, her eyes glowed with excitement, and her lips were like polished coral. Ever and anon her eyes wandered wistfully over the sea of faces before her, as if in search of some one. All at once they rested upon a familiar face and form. She gave a slight start, her countenance lighted for an instant, then she gave utterance to a sigh of disappointment, although a little smile curved her lips and she bowed in a friendly way to some one in the audience. She had seen Everet Mapleson, and at the first glance had thought he was Geoffrey, but catching his eager look of recognition, she realized her mistake, and felt almost angry with him for being there, while she feared that Geoffrey would not come at all. She did not catch sight of her lover until just a moment before she was called up to deliver the farewell address to class and faculty. Geoffrey saw that she was anxiously looking for him, and shifting his position he leaned forward and fixed a fond, magnetic look upon her. She seemed to feel it, and turning her glance in that direction, their eyes met; a rosy flood swept up to her brow, a brilliant smile wreathed her lips with one glad look of welcome, and the next moment she was standing before the audience, her whole being thrilling with delight, and with the determination to do her best for Geoffrey’s sake. And she did; her effort was the crowning achievement of the day. The rapt and breathless attention of the hundreds before her testified to that, and when she concluded a perfect storm of applause showed their appreciation and how completely she had swayed them by her eloquence.