He paused, and on the instant a girl's high peal of laughter rang through the house. The drawing-room door was flung back, and Doris herself stood on the threshold.
"Goodness!" she cried. "What a solemn conclave! You can't think how funny you all look! Do tell me what it is all about!"
She stood before them, the motor-veil thrown back from her dainty face, her slight figure quivering with merriment.
Vera hastened to meet her with outstretched hands.
"Oh, my dear, you can't think how anxious we have been about you."
Doris took her by the shoulders and lightly kissed her.
"Silly! Why? You know I always come up smiling. Why, Phil, you are looking positively green! Have you been anxious, too? I am indeed honoured."
She swept him a curtsey, her face all dimples and laughter.
"We've had the jolliest time," she declared. "We motored to Wynhampton and saw the last of the races. After that, we dined at a dear little place with a duckpond at the bottom of the garden. And finally we returned—it ought to have been by moonlight, only there was no moon. Where is everyone? In the billiard-room? I want some milk and soda frightfully. Vivian, you might, like the good sort you are, go and get me some."