Thinking, then, of the widow as a _dernier resort_, he treated her with a flattering deference and courtly politeness that prepossessed her still more in his favor, though she had not the faintest idea of the direction of his thoughts with regard to herself.
At last the evening came. The house was a blaze of light and splendor. Carriage after carriage rolled up the street and deposited its load at Mrs. Sheldon's door.
Presently the rooms were well filled with elegantly dressed ladies and irreproachably attired young men, who, in turn, paid their respects to the givers of the party.
Grace was tastefully and even richly dressed, but suffered herself, in the matter of attire, to be eclipsed by more than one of her guests. Her aunt insisted on her wearing a superb diamond necklace belonging to herself, but she declined.
"No, aunt; I don't want to array myself in borrowed plumes," she said. "The necklace is yours; wear it yourself."
Which Mrs. Sheldon did at last. She was ready to lend it to her niece, but was not insensible to the glances of admiration which it attracted when displayed on her own neck.
"It must be worth twenty thousand dollars!" thought Major Ashton. "Really, the old girl is radiant. If she ever becomes Mrs. Major Ashton, in place of her niece resigned, I shall slyly substitute a necklace of paste and convert the jewels to my own use. It is sinful that so much good money should be locked up."
It was well for the major's popularity with Mrs. Sheldon that she could not read his thoughts. Her necklace was her most valued possession, and nothing except actual need would have induced her to part with it.
Grace looked about from time to time for the young artist.
Finally she saw him approaching to salute her.
"I am glad to see you here, Mr. Vernon," she said, with a smile of welcome. "You are late."
"Yes, Miss Dearborn. I hope you will excuse it. As you are aware, I have few acquaintances here--indeed I do not often stray into such fashionable surroundings--and only came for a brief space, to show my appreciation of your kind courtesy in inviting me here, and to offer my congratulations on your birthday."
"Thank you, Mr. Vernon, they are welcome. I hope your mother is well."