"Ah!" remarked Mrs. Marshal, in a low voice. "That comes of going to the Turnpike House."
"Hush!" rebuked her brother under his breath. "Hold your tongue, Inez, and leave me to deal with this."
As there was to be no music, Jennie and Mr. Marshall set to work to amuse the guests, and even Heron took part in the games. But after a time Ruth declared that she could play no longer and abruptly went away. Perhaps Geoffrey's reproachful looks were too much for her equanimity. At all events she sought the empty drawing-room and sat down at the piano. In a few minutes she was joined by Neil.
"Oh! are you here?" she said, coldly enough. "What is the matter?"
"Nothing. I have come to have a few words with you."
"It is rather late in the day, Neil. You were out ail the afternoon, and I was left to Mr. Heron."
"I did not feel well," he said. "But I daresay you were happy with him."
"Indeed I was not. Oh. Neil!" she murmured, looking up at him with eyes shining like stars. "He proposed to me to-day and I refused him."
"My darling," he cried, and then drew back. He was thinking of his dream and wondering if he had the right to hold this girl to her engagement. Ruth misunderstood him and pouted.
"I thought you would be pleased."