A door slammed loudly in the distance. Peg distinctly heard her aunt's voice and Alaric's. In a moment she became panic-stricken. She made one bound for the stairs and sprang up them three at a time. At the top she turned and warned him:
"Don't tell any one ye saw me."
"I won't," promised the astonished young man.
But their secret was to be short-lived.
As Peg turned, Ethel appeared at the top of the stairs and as she descended, glaring at Peg, the unfortunate girl went down backwards before her. At the same moment Mrs. Chichester and Alaric came in through the door.
They all greeted Jerry warmly.
Mrs. Chichester was particularly gracious. "So sorry we were out. You will stay to lunch?"
"It is what I came for," replied Jerry heartily. He slipped his arm through Alaric's and led him up to the windows:
"Why, Al, your cousin is adorable!" he said enthusiastically.
"What?" Alaric gasped in horror. "You've met her?"