"Aunt Caroline," said Bill quietly, "it's all settled. Miss Norcross and I are to be married."
There was an exchange of glances between Pete, Mary, Nell, and Aunt Caroline. The latter smiled at her nephew.
"Of course," she said, "if Miss Norcross wishes to marry you, William, that's different entirely. But this isn't Miss Norcross, you know; this is Miss Wayne."
And she laid a hand on Mary's arm.
Bill devoted seconds to an effort at comprehension, but without avail. He found four persons smiling at him. It was disconcerting.
"Your name is not Norcross?" he demanded.
Mary shook her head.
"It's Wayne?" he faltered.
"Mary Wayne."
"But, how the——"