"I wanted to come and see you, but I heard you received no one."
"I will always see you," she replied.
Looking more than ever shy and embarrassed he said that he should certainly come as soon as his work would let him, and meanwhile he wanted her to know how glad he was to be able at last to offer his congratulations.
"Congratulations? On what?" said she, beginning to flush scarlet.
Wharton stammered out: "I was this moment told by a lady of your acquaintance that your engagement to Mr. Hazard was formally announced to-day."
Esther grew as pale as she had been red, and answered quietly: "When my engagement to any one is announced, I promise to let you know of it, Mr. Wharton, before the world knows it."
He apologized and passed on. Esther, shrinking back into her corner, struggled in vain to recover from this new blow. Mrs. Murray, on returning, found her in a state of feverish excitement.
"I am being dragged in against my will," said she. "I am beyond my depth. What am I to do?"
"Most women feel so at first," replied her aunt calmly. "Many want to escape. Some are afterwards sorry they didn't."
"Have you heard of this too, and not told me?" asked Esther.