For some moments the two young men walked on in silence, which was at
last broken by Ainsley.
"I say, Phil," he began, eagerly, laying his hand on his friend's
shoulder, "do you think any one of those three beauties would accept
an invitation to go down and see the yacht-race with me to-morrow
afternoon?"
Ravenswood looked shocked.
"You are surely jesting to ask my opinion as to whether any one of
those young girls would accompany _a stranger_ to a place of amusement.
You certainly know, as well as I do, that they wouldn't entertain such
a thought for an instant. And even suppose they did? Their parents
would soon let you know what _they_ thought on the subject. Like all
sweet rosebuds, they are guarded by thorns. A very stern _duenna_
usually accompanies them on their afternoon rambles, and woe to
anything masculine who attempts to hold a few moments' conversation
with any one of them. I confess I was surprised to find them alone
to-day--very much surprised, I must say."
"Fate interposed in my behalf," laughed Ainsley, nonchalantly; adding:
"I tell you, Phil, I am a strong believer in fate, no matter what
any one says to the contrary, believing with the poet--everything is
preordained, planned out ahead for us, and we can not escape it.
We are to meet certain people. One girl makes no impression upon us
whatever, no matter how pretty she may be; we meet another, and lo!
with the first glance from her eyes, the mischief's done--_we_ are done
for. Now, am I not correct?"
"I hope you have not made such a fool of yourself as to fall in love at
first sight with any one of those young ladies to whom I was mad enough
to introduce you, Ainsley!" cried Ravenswood, very much nettled.
"And why not, pray?" returned Royal Ainsley, coolly. "You should blame
fate if I have done so, not me, my dear fellow."
"I am sorry for you, Ainsley, if such is indeed a fact," declared
Philip Ravenswood, gravely, "for I do not think you could win the girl.
Plainly speaking, you are no match for either of them. You know that.
But which one of them is it?"
"The one with the pansy velvet dark eyes--with the face of a damask
rose--Ida May, I believe you called her."
Ravenswood looked wonderfully relieved. As long as it was not
Hildegarde, he would not trouble himself.
"By George!" exclaimed Ainsley, stopping short, "I believe those three
young girls ride the bicycle. Now that I think of it, I'm sure I saw
them whirl past the club yesterday morning. They wore natty navy blue
suits and blue veils. I couldn't see what their faces were like. Two
elderly gentlemen accompanied them."
"Yes, they ride the wheel," assented Ravenswood, reluctantly. "The two
gentlemen were Mr. Ryder and Mr. Cramer, who are very enthusiastic over
the sport. There's a millionaire's club of wheelmen here at Newport."
"I presume they will be at the fancy masquerade cycle tournament next
week, then?" said Ainsley, carelessly, though he listened anxiously for
the reply.
"No doubt," returned Ravenswood. "They were all at the last one. By the
way, it's a very select affair. One has to be a member of the club, or
have considerable outside influence, to secure tickets."
"Are you a member?" asked Ainsley, quickly.
"Yes," returned Ravenswood. "It was Hildegarde's father who proposed my
name. I did not get even one black ball, and was consequently voted a
member."
"Do you suppose, if you had been a poor devil of a clerk, instead of
a millionaire's son, you would have been voted in?" asked Ainsley, a
trifle bitterly, a hard light flashing into his eyes.
"Possibly not," replied Ravenswood, with a good-humored laugh.
"I should have thought you would have improved the opportunity of
seeing considerable of the Three Graces awheel," said Ainsley, after a
few moments' pause.
"Their fathers discourage anything of that kind," laughed Philip; "as
more than one young man has found out."
"But Miss May's relatives--do none of them ride?"
"They are too old for that sort of thing," laughed Ravenswood. "The old
gentleman is as deaf as a post, and is relegated to the hotel piazza
because of the gout. His wife is equally as deaf, and is too unwieldly
to venture far from her corner of the piazza. It is laughable to hear
them shout at each other through their ear-trumpets. I have often
thought what a lonely life of it that beautiful young girl must have
with those two old people. It would be unendurable, I fancy, if it were
not for her two young friends."
"Probably they make up for not being companionable by not being so
strict with their pretty prospective little heiress?" suggested
Ainsley, again listening eagerly for his friend's reply.
"They certainly allow their granddaughter, or niece, whichever she is,
more liberty than Hildegarde's or Lily Ryder's parents do. Still, I
suppose they are confident that she can come to no harm, surrounded by
such careful friends and companions."
"Did you say, Philip, you were going to the fancy-dress masquerade
tournament?" asked Royal Ainsley, slowly.
"I do not propose to miss it," responded Ravenswood.
"Do you think you can secure me a ticket, Phil?" asked Ainsley,
point-blank. "Grant me that favor if you can. Remember, I ask it _as a
great favor_. Surely you can manage it somehow for me."
"I'll try," replied Ravenswood. "If it's possible, you shall attend."
During the next few days that followed, handsome Royal Ainsley saw as
much of the Three Graces as was possible. One day he was content with
a bow or a smile--on the next, a few words in passing; but he was wise
enough to keep out of the way whenever their relatives were about.