Frederick Foster instantly became all anxiety and attention, and with Arthur’s assistance he supported her to the waiting carriage. She leaned back among the cushions with shut eyes, while Arthur stroked her brow and hands with tender touches, and her nephew exhausted himself in wondering what had made her ill. Arthur answered evasively: “It must have been the great heat of the sun. She complained of the warmth of the weather while we were watching the steamer come into port.” The carriage rolled along toward their hotel, and Mrs. Varian grew gradually better, opening her eyes presently and faintly apologizing for the fright she had given them. “I am almost well again, and I think we can return to Newport to-night,” she said. Foster’s thoughts recurred again to his friends, and he exclaimed, regretfully: “I am very sorry that I lost sight of my friends, the Dawns and Madame Ray. They, too, are going to Newport, and if I only knew at what hotel they intended to stop, I would go and persuade them to make a party with us going there.” “Please do not, Fred. They might think us officious, being strangers,” Mrs. Varian cried, hastily. Frederick laughed roguishly, and answered: “I serve notice on you that you will not be strangers long, for I intend to make Miss Dawn your niece, if she will give her consent!” “Ah!” cried Arthur, in a strange tone of suppressed emotion; but Frederick did not notice, he was so absorbed in the thought of Cinthia. “Did you notice how radiantly beautiful she was?” he cried. “She is as graceful and stately as a young princess, and her feet and hands are exquisitely small and dainty. Her hair is a shower of gold, and such beautiful, large, soft dark eyes, so haunting and mesmeric, I never saw in another woman’s face. The first moment I met their full glance, I realized that all was over with Frederick Foster.” “How long have you known the young lady, Fred?” his aunt asked. “Only from the first day we sailed for New York; but the moment I saw her I was done for, and I believe if I had not secured an introduction to her soon, I should have jumped overboard and drowned myself. Oh, I tell you, it was a case of love at first sight--on my side, at least. I don’t know how it is with her; but I was actually proposing to her as we came down the gang-plank and met you, so I did not get her answer. But I shall at Newport, of course. But, as I was saying, I got an introduction through the lovely actress, Madame Ray, who had been with them several months in Europe. She has retired from the stage now, and I’m rather sorry. I’ve known her several years, and she was an ornament to the profession--as good a woman as ever stepped.” “Perhaps she is going to marry Miss Dawn’s father?” ventured his aunt, inquiringly. “I don’t know. They would make a splendid couple, wouldn’t they? And I know that the lovely Cinthia would give anything to bring it about. She is devoted to the charming actress.”