"Engaged?" Gwen started back and gasped. "But I don't understand."
"Mademoiselle Zara will explain," said Mrs. Perage swiftly, and collecting the two men with her eyes. "Mr. Bracken, I must show you my garden, as I am sure you take an interest in flowers. Come with me. You also, Jim, as you must go to Mrs. Bell's and bring Hench here."
"I don't wish to see him," called out Gwen hurriedly, but Mrs. Perage took no notice of the speech, as she had already conducted the two men out of the room, leaving the two girls alone.
Gwen eyed Zara and Zara eyed Gwen with great curiosity, and used their intuitions with so much skill that in two minutes each girl knew all about the nature of the other girl. Miss Evans could not deny but what the dancer was handsome enough to attract any one, even the most fastidious, while Zara thought that Gwen was one of the most charming young ladies she had ever seen.
"I'm sure he will be very happy with you," she said abruptly.
"Who?" asked Gwen, sitting down and getting ready to fence.
Zara laughed meaningly. "My dear, there is only one 'he' in the world for you."
"So I thought, until I found him out," retorted Miss Evans sharply.
"Oh, I understand all about your finding him out. Mr. Vane gave me a full description of my mother's meddling. But if you had waited to hear what took place after your departure from the churchyard there would have been no need for me to come down."
"I did not ask you to come down," said Gwen pointedly.