Her color was positively heightening, and her breath becoming checked by the boldness of these thoughts, when suddenly there was a rushing and rustling of silken skirts, and Lucy Money, disengaging herself from a man's arm, swooped upon her.
"You darlingest, dear Nola, where have you been all the night? I have been hunting for you everywhere! Oh--Mr. Blanchet! I haven't seen you before either. Have you two been wandering about together all the evening?"
Looking up, Minola saw that it was Mr. Victor Heron who had been with Lucy Money, and that he was now waiting with a smile of genial friendliness to be recognized by Miss Grey. It must be owned that Minola felt a little embarrassed, and would rather--though she could not possibly tell why--not have been found deep in confidential talk with Herbert Blanchet.
She gave Mr. Heron her hand, and told him--which was now the truth--that she was glad to see him.
"Hadn't we better go and find Mary?" Blanchet said, rising and glancing slightly at Heron. "She will be expecting us."
"No, please don't take Miss Grey away just yet," Victor said, addressing himself straightway, and with eyes of unutterable cordiality and good-fellowship, to the poet. "I haven't spoken a word to her yet; and I have to go away soon."
"I'll go with you to your sister, Mr. Blanchet," said Lucy, taking his arm forthwith. "I haven't seen her all the evening, and I want to talk to her very much."
So Lucy swept away on Mr. Blanchet's arm, looking very fair, and _petite_, and pretty, as she held a bundle of her draperies in one hand, and glanced back, smiling and nodding, out of sheer good-nature, at Minola.
Victor Heron sat down by Minola, and at once plunged into earnest talk.
Year after year we'll gather here, And pass the night in merry cheer. Through storm and war, o'er sea and land, We'll come each year to Neckar's strand: In war and storm, on land and sea, To this our pledge we'll faithful be, _And each to all be true_.
So sang three students one March night-- Without the storm wind blew, Within were wine and warmth and light And three hearts brave and true.
"To-morrow morn we all go hence," Said Wilhelm, speaking low. "For Emil fights for Fatherland, Franz o'er the sea doth go,