Page:Tales of two countries.djvu/208

194 the old man. "You two could have entertained our guest with some duets."

"I asked her to stay, when she was here this afternoon; but she was engaged to a farewell party with some other people she knows."

Cousin Hans pricked up his ears; could this be the lady of the morning that they were speaking about?

"I told you she came down to the esplanade to say good-bye to me," continued the captain. "Poor girl! I'm really sorry for her."

There could no longer be any doubt.

"I beg your pardon—are you speaking of a lady with curly hair and large blue eyes?" asked Cousin Hans.

"Exactly," answered the captain, "do you know Miss Beck?"

"No," answered Hans, "it only occurred to me that it might be a lady I met down on the esplanade about twelve o'clock."

"No doubt it was she," said the captain. "A pretty girl, isn't she?"

"I thought her beautiful," answered Hans, with conviction. "Has she had any trouble?—I thought I heard you say—"

"Well, yes; you see she was engaged for some months—"

"Nine weeks," interrupted Miss Betty.

"Indeed! was that all? At any rate, her fiancé has just broken off the engagement, and that's why