He held her close, and, when Aunt Manning's voice broke in upon them, as she suddenly appeared with Lillian, they still stood with clasped hands.
Aunt Manning viewed them for a moment with severe disapproval, then she said, "Young man, why are you holding my niece's hand?"
"He had a right to hold my hand long before you ever saw me, Aunt Manning," retorted Anita, who, having come to her own, was ready with some of her old spirit.
"What's this? What's this?" queried Aunt Manning.
"I'll have to explain. There will be no use in trying to put it off," said Anita, with an adorable look at her lover. "You talk to Lillian."
But as Mrs. Beltrán appeared upon the scene Lillian thought best to follow her grandmother and Anita into the sitting-room. "I tried my best to keep her longer," she whispered to Anita, as they passed out, "but that old Tibbie had to come and let the cat out of the bag."
CHAPTER XXI
Farewell
Said Aunt Manning: "I knew when I heard him call her Nancy that he must have more common sense than most." As usual she had begun by bristling up most aggressively but became as mild as milk when she understood the situation, and was delighted with the romance. "You see I knew what was best," she said, triumphantly, to Terrence after she had made him a congratulatory speech. "As if I would permit the man engaged to my niece to spend his Christmas anywhere but here." The rest exchange amused looks, but Aunt Manning was perfectly satisfied that the arrangement was entirely due to her having taken the initiative.
Said Tibbie, "'E's an unaccountable nice young man, but if he bides in this house etarnally, mistus, you and me parts company."