The men sprang to their feet. Their sympathies were with Clive, but she was their guest, and a woman; they would do whatever she commanded.
Clive dropped her into her chair, not too gently.
“Sit down, gentlemen,” she said serenely; “we will now go on with the dinner.”
CHAPTER X.
Mr. Van Rhuys returned the next morning. Helena and several of her guests drove over to the hotel station to meet him. The train was not due for some moments after their arrival. Helena sprang from the char-à-banc and ran up the hill to the Gordon cottage. Clive and Mary came out to meet her.
“I didn’t want to write you a formal note of congratulation, Miss Gordon,” she said, smiling charmingly. “I hoped to see you last night at the dinner. I am so sorry you were not there. It was a most interesting dinner.”
“So Mr. Clive told me,” said Mary innocently. “You are very kind, dear Miss Belmont.”
“I want to give you a dinner. To-morrow? I must be quick. I hear my train. Do say yes.”
“I am so sorry, thank you so much, but papa and I are going to San Francisco to-morrow afternoon. He has business, and my dress-maker wants me. After that we are going to pay three visits in San Mateo and Menlo Park; we hoped to get out of them, but it seems we can’t, and papa thinks I’d better go.”
“Oh!” said Helena. “What are you going to do with Mr. Clive?”