“I was not aware of the honor that awaited me,” replied Hope.
“Oh no! of course not. The family reasons, I suppose—”
“My mind is as much in the dark as my body,” said Hope. “I really do not see the point of the joke.”
“Still you don’t seem very much surprised at it.”
“Why should I be? Every girl is at the mercy of tattlers.”
“Exactly,” said Fanny. “They’ve had me engaged to I don’t know how many people. I suppose they’ll doom Alfred Dinks to me next. You won’t be jealous, will you?”
“No,” said Hope, “I’ll congratulate him.”
Fanny Newt could not see Hope Wayne’s face, and her voice betrayed nothing. She, in fact, knew no more than when she came in.
“Good-by, dear, à ce soir!” said she, as she sailed out of the room.
Hope lingered for some time at the window. Then she rang for candles, and sat down to write a letter.