They sauntered on in silence until they overtook Wynnette and Elva, who had sat down on a garden seat to wait for them. “It is time to go home to luncheon,” said Wynnette, “and I am starved.” They turned their steps toward their hotel and reached it in time to join Mr. and Mrs. Force and Odalite at luncheon at their usual hour. That afternoon, while Mr. Force was taking his daily nap and the young girls were resting in their chambers, the earl found himself alone with his sister in their private parlor. “Elfrida,” he said, “I want you to tell me something about this little protégé of yours.” “Rosemary Hedge?” “Yes.” “Well, she is the daughter of the late Capt. Hedge, of the merchant service, and of his wife, Dorothy Grandiere, the daughter of the late Gideon Grandiere, of St. Mary’s. Her family is one of the oldest and best in the State. And her friends have intrusted her to us for the benefit of travel. That is all there is about Rosemary Hedge.” “No, not quite all. The little one tells me that she is engaged to be married.” “Who? Rosemary?” “Yes.” “Engaged to be married!” “Yes.” “This is news to me! I never even suspected such a thing. Nor do I know how she has ever had an opportunity of being wooed, far less won!” exclaimed the lady, in surprise. “And yet the child honestly thinks that you know all about it,” replied the earl. “I know nothing. And I am really distressed at the news you tell me. Have I been so absorbed in the care of my sick husband as to have neglected the interests of the orphan child? What adventurer has picked her up, in the name of Heaven? Tell me, Francis, if you know.” “Do you know anything of a young fellow called Roland Bayard?” significantly inquired the earl, fixing his eyes intently on the face of his sister. That face paled under his wistful gaze; but the lady recovered herself in a few moments, and replied: “Yes; he is a young man who in infancy was cast upon our shores from a wrecked ship. He was cared for by Mr. Force, who placed him in the charge of a respectable woman and afterward sent him to school and to college.” “Does any one know anything about his parentage?” “He was the sole survivor of the wreck. There was not a mark on his clothing or on his person to give a clew to his parentage. But, as Mr. Force has practically adopted him, he will not need to investigate his own antecedents. He is in the merchant service now.” “Yes, I have heard so much from Rosemary. But now as to his character?” “He is above reproach. A not unworthy namesake of two heroes—Roland and Bayard. But why do you inquire into the history of this young person?” “Because it is to him that Rosemary is engaged, or thinks herself engaged.” “Oh,” laughed the lady, “that is an old story.” “It cannot be an old story, since the child is but seventeen.”