He also returned to the drawing-room, and was vigilant for an opportunity. It soon occurred. Ella and her attendant were chatting with Mrs. Willoughby a little apart from the others. Houghton joined them instantly, and was encouraged when both the ladies greeted him with a smile. The attendant gentleman soon withdrew, the hostess remained a few moments longer, and then Houghton and Ella were alone. "You may have observed," he said, "the penalty I pay for being a Northerner." "Yes," she replied, "and I don't think it's fair." "Miss Bodine, do you dare _think_ for yourself?" "I scarcely know how I can help doing so." "That is just what I was thinking out on the balcony." "I thought you were charmed by that beautiful Miss Ainsley." "She has no eyes except for Clancy, and a fine fellow he is too--too good for her, I imagine. I can't make her out." "Neither can I." "Oh, bother her! I don't like feminine riddles. Miss Bodine, there's a gentleman in my father's employ bearing your name. Is he a relative?" "He is my father," she replied proudly. "I should guess as much if your eyes were not so blue." "I have my mother's eyes, I am told." "Well, on that same day--you know--he told me that he was a gentleman: can you guess how?" "I would rather you should tell me." "I was sent to him by my father with a message, and I spoke rudely to him at first; not intentionally, but as a harum-scarum young fellow might speak to an elderly man under ordinary circumstances, I meaning nothing more than friendly familiarity. I fear you won't understand, but with you I can't help downright honesty." "Yes, I understand. He was one of your father's clerks, and you cared little what you said to him." "Scarcely right, Miss Bodine. With all my faults--and they are legion--I'm good-natured, and do not intentionally hurt people's feelings. What a fine proof of that I gave you in my insufferable stupidity!" "That's been explained and is past. Please don't refer to it any more." "Heaven knows I wish to forget it. Well, your father turned to me from his writing. One look was enough. I begged his pardon twice on the spot. That is the way he told me he was a gentleman. It had been so born and bred into him that, unless a fellow was an idiot, one glance told the story." Her face softened wonderfully as he spoke, and her eyes grew lustrous with feeling, as she said: "You are not an idiot, Mr. Houghton. I am glad you so quickly appreciated my father. He is more than a gentleman, he is a hero, and I idolize him." "I should fancy it was a mutual idolatry," and his eyes expressed an admiration of which the dullest girl would have been conscious, and Ella was not dull at all. "I wish we could become acquainted," he added abruptly, and with such hearty emphasis that her color deepened.