are all opposed to it; to-morrow they will each apply privately to
Aladdin for the privilege of subscribing."

"I have never seen a railroad," said Amita, slightly coloring;
"but you are an engineer, and I know they must be some thing very
clever."

Notwithstanding the coolness of the night, a full moon drew the
guests to the veranda, where coffee was served, and where,
mysteriously muffled in cloaks and shawls, the party took upon
itself the appearance of groups of dominoed masqueraders, scattered
along the veranda and on the broad steps of the porch in gypsy-like
encampments, from whose cloaked shadow the moonlight occasionally
glittered upon a varnished boot or peeping satin slipper. Two or
three of these groups had resolved themselves into detached
couples, who wandered down the acacia walk to the sound of a harp
in the grand saloon or the occasional uplifting of a thin Spanish
tenor. Two of these couples were Maruja and Garnier, followed by
Amita and Raymond.

"You are restless to-night, Maruja," said Amita, shyly endeavoring
to make a show of keeping up with her sister's boyish stride, in
spite of Raymond's reluctance. "You are paying for your
wakefulness to-day."

The same idea passed through the minds of both men. She was
missing the excitement of Captain Carroll's presence.

"The air is so refreshing away from the house," responded Maruja,
with a bright energy that belied any suggestion of fatigue or moral