"I never heard her sing like that before," Madelene was saying to Frederick. "I believe you know her quite well, don't you?"
"I know who she is," stammered the student, flushing, "but as to saying I know her well—"
"She's very beautiful!" interjected Madelene.
Frederick lowered his head flatteringly, "Not as beautiful as another girl I know," he whispered, and Madelene dropped her eyes with a happy sigh.
"Let's go and speak to her," she suggested. "I feel I must, I'm the hostess, you know."
Frederick reluctantly fell into step with her, and together they crossed the room, a striking picture of entrancing youth. Tessibel's heart ached at the unusual sight. For one burning moment she wanted to scream, to spring up and do some terrible thing to the small girl walking so familiarly at her husband's side. Then she looked away miserably. She could not bear the sight, nor did she turn again until she heard a strange, rather high, girl's voice say,
"It was very lovely, Helen! Such a surprise to every one! I'm ever so grateful to you."
"Tessibel, this is Miss Waldstricker," introduced Helen.
Tess raised a scarlet face at the sound of her name.
For one moment the two girls gazed into each other's eyes. Each had in her panting heart a feeling of proprietorship for the tall, dark boy standing moodily behind Madelene. Tess knew he was there, yet did not look at him.