"And I had," reported Psyche to her mother that night, "such a time getting her to agree. At first she wouldn't listen at all. Then, after I'd just fairly begged her, she admitted she might because she's taken such a fancy to me and hates to leave me--but she was sensitive about what people might say. I told her they'd never have a chance to say a word; and she was anxious Perce shouldn't know, because she says he's so cynical about New York people since that Milbrey girl made such a set for him; and at last she called me a dear and consented, though she'd been looking forward to a quiet summer. To-morrow early we start out for the shops." So it came that the three members of the Bines family pursued during the summer their respective careers of diversion under conditions most satisfactory to each. The steam yacht _Viluca_, chartered by Percival, was put into commission early in June. Her first cruise of ten days was a signal triumph. His eight guests were the men with whom he had played poker so tirelessly during the winter. Perhaps the most illuminating log of that cruise may be found in the reply of one of them whom Percival invited for another early in July. "Much obliged, old man, but I haven't touched a drop now in over three weeks. My doctor says I must let it be for at least two months, and I mean to stick by him. Awfully kind of you, though!" CHAPTER XXIV. The Sight of a New Beauty, and Some Advice from Higbee From the landing on a still morning in late July, Mrs. Drelmer surveyed the fleet of sailing and steam yachts at anchor in Newport harbour. She was beautifully and expensively gowned in nun's grey chiffon; her toque was of chiffon and lace, and she held a pale grey parasol, its ivory handle studded with sapphires. She fixed a glass upon one of the white, sharp-nosed steam yachts that rode in the distance near Goat Island. "Can you tell me if that's the _Viluca?_" she asked a sailor landing from a dinghy, "that boat just astern of the big schooner?" "No ma'am; that's the _Alta_, Commodore Weckford." "Looking for some one?" inquired a voice, and she turned to greet Fred Milbrey descending the steps. "Oh! Good-morning! yes; but they've not come in, evidently. It's the _Viluca_--Mr. Bines, you know; he's bringing his sister back to me. And you?" "I'm expecting the folks on Shepler's craft. Been out two weeks now, and were to have come down from New London last night. They're not in sight either. Perhaps the gale last night kept them back." Mrs. Drelmer glanced above to where some one seemed to be waiting for him. "Who's your perfectly gorgeous companion? You've been so devoted to her for three days that you've hardly bowed to old friends. Don't you want her to know any one?" The young man laughed with an air of great shrewdness.