No one had seen Gilda come in, but she had been standing for some time with red eyes and flushed face by one of the windows, and in the general stir which followed Vincent's explanation Mr. Featherstone came up to her.
'Well,' he said, 'we've been treated to a very pretty story this evening. This is the young gentleman you're going to give me for a son-in-law, is it, Gilda? But of course you don't believe a word against him!'
'I believe it all—and more!' she said with a passionate sob.
Caffyn turned to her. 'You too, Gilda!' he cried pathetically.
'You might have deceived me even after this,' she said, 'only—mamma sent me to go and fetch you—I heard you out there on the balcony, talking to Mabel, and—and I went out by the other window, this one, and along the balcony to the corner——'
'And, in point of fact, you listened!' he said.
'Yes, I did,' she retorted, 'and I shall be glad of it all my life. I heard enough to save me from you!'
She left him there and flew to Mabel, whom she embraced with a remorseful hug.
'You darling!' she whispered, 'what a wicked fool I was ever to be jealous of you—and about him. You will forgive me, won't you? And I am so glad about poor dear Mr. Ashburn.'
Mr. Featherstone tapped Caffyn lightly on the shoulder.