“Yes, dear.”
“May I present my brother Abel, Miss Tally?” asked Fanny Newt.
“Yes, I’m sure,” said Miss Tully.
Fanny Newt turned just as a song began in the other room, out of which opened the conservatory.
“Last May a braw wooer cam down the lang glen,
And sair wi’ his love he did deave me:
I said there was naething I hated like men—
The deuce gae wi’m to believe’me, believe me,
The deuce gae wi’m to believe me.”
The rooms were hushed as the merry song rang out. The voice of the singer was arch, and her eye flashed slyly on Abel Newt as she finished, and a murmur of pleasure rose around her.
Abel leaned upon the piano, with his eyes fixed upon the singer. He was fully conscious of the surprise he had betrayed to sister Fanny when she spoke suddenly of Mrs. Alfred Dinks. It was necessary to remove any suspicion that she might entertain in consequence. If Mr. Abel Newt had intentions in which Miss Hope Wayne was interested, was there any reason why Miss Fanny Newt should mingle in the matter?
As Miss Plumer finished the song Abel saw his sister coming toward him through the little crowd, although his eyes seemed to be constantly fixed upon the singer.
“How beautiful!” said he, ardently, in a low voice, looking Grace Plumer directly in the eyes.
“Yes, it is a pretty song.”