But Clifford Standish, writhing with impatience over the uncertainty that attended his love affair, was elated at the reception of Geraldine's note permitting him to call. When the time approached, he laid aside the clumsy disguise he had assumed, and clothed himself in "purple and fine linen," as the saying goes, hoping to make some impression on the girl's proud mother by his handsome person and stately manners. He remembered how contemptuously she had called him "that person," and flattered himself that she could not deny him the title of a gentleman now. Promptly at the time appointed he presented himself at the splendid Fitzgerald mansion, and was ushered into a luxurious little reception-room, where he waited in solitude some time after sending his card to the ladies. He smiled to himself, as he thought: "Geraldine is probably adorning herself in all the splendors of her newly acquired wealth to startle me with her beauty. She will burst upon me presently in gorgeous array, rustling in silk, and loaded with jewels, with all the purse-proud vulgarity of the _nouveaux riche_." And he did not reflect that he himself, following the "loud" taste of many actors, was almost too stunningly dressed for gentlemanly effect. But just as he began to grow decidedly impatient at the long delay, a handsome young woman came softly through the draped door, and, advancing toward him, said, courteously: "Mrs. Fitzgerald desires that you will excuse her delay in coming in. She has been detained by an unexpected caller, but will be with you in a few minutes now." He sprang excitedly to his feet. "Azuba!" burst from his lips. The handsome young woman, who had scarcely looked at him before, turned her eyes toward him at that cry, and recoiled with a stifled shriek of unutterable dismay. Clifford Standish came close up to her, muttering: "Azuba, what are you doing here?" The woman's face became death-white with sudden fear, and lifting her hand warningly, she almost, hissed: "Hush! breathe not that name beneath this roof! It is not my name now!" "Another alias, then," he muttered. "What is it now?" Her reply came with a groan: "What does that matter to you? I am done with you and the past forever--I am trying to lead an honest life and earn an honest, respectable living. For Heaven's sake, do not betray me to these people!" "What are you doing here?" "I am governess to Mrs. Fitzgerald's children. I am trusted and liked by the whole family, and I try to deserve it. Will you go away, and leave me in peace to my new life?" she prayed, with clasped hands, her large blue eyes swimming in frightened, beseeching tears. "I have no wish to trouble you, Azuba---- Oh, pardon, that name was a slip of the tongue! What do you call yourself now?" "Simply Kate Erroll--Miss Erroll to all. I have a right to that name. It was my mother's before she was married. But I cannot stay to talk to you now. I must go; but keep my secret, will you, Clifford Standish?"