CHAPTER XXXI.
AT DELMONICO'S.
Lawrence Newt had watched with the warmest sympathy the rapid development of the friendship between Amy Waring and Hope Wayne.

He aided it in every way.

He called in the assistance of Arthur Merlin, who was in some doubt whether his devotion to his art would allow him to desert it for a moment.

But as the doubt only lasted while Lawrence Newt was unfolding a plan he had of reading books aloud with the ladies--and--in fact, a great many other praiseworthy plans which all implied a constant meeting with Miss Waring and Miss Wayne, Mr.Merlin did not delay his co-operation in all Mr.Newt's efforts.
And so they met at Amy Waring's house very often and pretended to read, and really did read, several books together aloud.

Ostensibly poetry was pursued at the meetings of what Lawrence Newt called the Round Table.
"Why not?
We have our King Arthur, and our Merlin the Enchanter," he said.
"A speech from Mr.Merlin," cried Amy, gayly, while Hope looked up from her work with encouraging, queenly eyes.