"Only partly,—that is, she has only partly answered me."
"What did she say?"
"I don't quite know. She was,—well, Patty, she ran away from me."
"Oh, that's all right, then, that's a time-honoured device to postpone the psychological moment! Well, may I make the announcement at dinner?"
"No; I think not. For, though I couldn't help hoping, from the look in her eyes, that she cares for me,—yet she said—"
"What did she say?"
"Nothing coherent or understandable,—but—well, she didn't—she didn't say 'yes'."
"Oh, that's nothing,—she will. But I won't make the announcement till she tells me to. There's the dinner gong,—come on."
It wasn't until the others were seated at the table that Azalea come into the dining-room. She looked quite unlike her usual self, and was very quiet. Her face showed a pathetic, wistful expression, but her eyes were cast down, and now and then the corners of her scarlet mouth trembled.
Patty had arranged that she should sit next Van Reypen, and as Azalea took the place, she found Ray Gale on her other hand.