Everybody laughed and exclaimed (except Robert), and Brederode helped me out so nobly that I would have given him Nell with my own hand if she had not already made him that present.
"It's like one of Nell's stories," cried Phyllis. "Only she used to love to make hers end sadly."
"I should have died if this had ended sadly," Nell said frankly, holding out both hands to Brederode, with a lovely look in her eyes.
"So should I, I'm sure," said Phyllis. "Oh, isn't it glorious that we all adore each other so!"
"Do we?" I asked the Meteor lady.
She smiled. "I suppose it would be a pity to make a jarring note in the chorus."
While she was in that mood I took out the ruby ring which she had said ought to be an engagement ring.
"With this ring I thee——"
"No!"
"Engage thee as my perpetual chaperon."