"What does Mr. Putnam care about her?" queried Flossy.
"I'm sure I don't know," Burleigh answered.
"Some old flame," volunteered Mr. Plant a little spitefully. "I always thought Putnam couldn't be so quiet for nothing. He's a sly old boy. So he's after a runaway young woman, is he?"
A sudden and entire silence fell upon the party at this unlucky outburst; but Patty quickly broke it.
"I forgot to ask, Burleigh, when you are going home."
"I must go on the first train to-morrow," he answered. "I have to be at home to-morrow night."
"How nice!" Patty said. "I am going then. I am glad to have company."
"Patty Sanford!" cried her cousin. "You won't go a step before Monday."
But remonstrances were vain. Nothing could shake Patty's sudden determination to get away from Boston, now that her lover had come thither. Her conversation with Mrs. Smithers was indelibly imprinted upon her memory; and this new proof of his intimate relations with the woman or her daughter came to Patience like a stab in an old wound. She made a strong effort to hide her bitter sadness, but an irresistible impulse drove her homeward.