“Yes,” he said, his heart beating heavily, as he read the regret in her eyes. “Some gentlemen have arranged for an ocean trip, intending to touch at the Santa Barbara Islands and land at San Diego, whence they will proceed into Mexico. I am going with them.” All the light had died out of Virgie’s face during this explanation. It seemed as if there was nothing left for her to enjoy during the remainder of the tour. She had never realized before how dependent for enjoyment she had been upon his society, and now he was going another way. Perhaps they would never meet again; he would doubtless go directly back to England after his return from Mexico, and that would end this delightful episode of her life. Her heart cried out against the separation, and, like a flash, it came to her how much this frank, noble young Englishman had become to her. She did not know what to say to him; she stood there silent, wretched, and pale as the snowy lace that lay in folds upon her white neck. “You—have changed your plans quite suddenly, have you not?” she at last managed to stammer. “It is rather an unexpected move,” he tried to say, in a natural tone; “but I may never have another opportunity to take a voyage upon the Pacific Ocean, and it seems best that I should go.” It would have taken but very little more to have broken the fair girl down entirely. In all her life she had scarcely known a trial, hardly a wish ungratified, and this had come upon her like a thunderbolt from the sky. She knew that she ought to make no sign before him, and yet she could not repress all feeling. Her lips quivered slightly and there was a wistful expression in her eyes as she lifted them to him and said: “I am sorry that you are going, Mr. Hamilton. We shall miss you sadly.” “Shall you?” he cried, eagerly, his face growing luminous. “Thank you,” he added, checking himself again. “I am sorry, too, to leave you; but, Miss Alexander, I shall be in New York early in the spring. May I hope to renew our acquaintance there? May I come to see you in your own home?” A rosy glow leaped into the young girl’s face at this request. A heavy load dropped from her heart, a sweet, new hope began to bud within her soul. “Yes, indeed; do come, Mr. Hamilton. I know that mamma will be glad to meet you,” she said, cordially. “Thank you; but will you also be glad to see me, Vir—Miss Alexander?” the young man asked, in a low, eager tone, and there was an expression in his eyes of which he was wholly unconscious, but which told his fair companion much that he had fully intended should remain hidden deep within his own heart until he could stand before Mrs. Alexander, tell her how tenderly he had learned to love her daughter, and ask her sanction to his suit. “Yes, I shall be glad,” Virgie breathed, softly, her white lids hiding the happy light in her eyes, though there was a tell-tale glow upon her cheek.