Page:Maud Howe - A Newport Aquarelle.djvu/112

 known in a sort of misty garment of her own imaginings, which blurred their real outlines.

"If you will not dance, Miss Carleton, will you not come out on the piazza during the waltz, it is so very warm here?"

"By all means; let us go."

The two young people, whose names were already linked together by the busybodies of Newport, left the hot ballroom and passed out into the cool evening air. It is never hot at night in Newport. The sea-breeze sweeps across the island, refreshing those who have suffered the terrible heats of the city summer, and have come to the fresh health-giving climate for rest.

On the wide piazza groups of men were sitting together, talking and smoking, or silently enjoying the beauty of the perfect summer night.

In one of the shadowy corners stood two chairs lately vacated by Mrs. Craig and Count Clawski. Gladys placed herself in one of these, her companion seating himself at her side.