"William!"
He glanced at Aunt Caroline, then shook a finger directly under her nose.
"See here, Aunt Caroline—I'm not going to let you marry her off to Pete Stearns, and that settles it. There isn't going to be any argument about it. She's going to marry me!"
"Mercy!" exclaimed Aunt Caroline. "Why, my dear, is this true?"
She turned to Mary Wayne, who met her with innocent eyes.
"Of course it is not true," answered Mary. "I never thought of such a thing."
"Then you'd better begin thinking of it," warned Bill, "because that's exactly what's going to happen. This is my affair and I'm managing it."
Mary did not deem that it was a politic time to discuss compromises. She had too long a score against Bill Marshall. Inwardly, she was having a glorious time, but it would never do to let Bill know it.
"Do you think that marrying me is entirely your affair?" she demanded.
"Absolutely."