fond, true eyes looked the delight which her lover experienced at the
unexpected meeting.

"My darling!--I was thinking of you the very moment you passed, and
wishing that I could see you. I have something very important to tell
you," he said, eagerly, but his fine face clouded as he uttered these
last words.

"It is something that troubles you, I am sure, Ray," said Mona, who was
quick to interpret his every expression.

"Yes, it is--I am free to confess," he admitted, then added: "Come in
here with me--there will not be many people about at this hour--where we
can talk more freely, and I will tell you all about it."

They were passing the Hoffman House at that moment, and the young man led
the way inside the _café_.

They proceeded to a table in a quiet corner, where, behind some palms and
tall ferns, they would not be likely to be observed, and then gave an
order for a tempting lunch, the preparation of which would require some
time.

While waiting for it, Ray confided his trouble to Mona.

"My father is really going to marry Mrs. Montague," was the somewhat
abrupt communication which he made with pale lips and troubled brow.

"I have known it for some time, but did not like to speak of it to you,"
Mona quietly replied.