'Mary,' said her brother bluntly, 'this is too bad. I would have expected it from any one sooner than from you.'
'What are you talking about?' asked Mary frigidly.
'I am talking about Angus, my friend. Yes, you may smile, but it is not play to him.'
'What have I done to your friend?' said Mary, looking Dick in the face.
'You have crushed the life for the time being out of as fine a fellow as I ever knew. You might at least have amused yourself with some one a little more experienced in the ways of women.'
'How dare you, Dick!' exclaimed Mary, stamping her foot. All at once Dick saw that though she spoke bravely her lips were trembling. A sudden fear seized him.
'I presume that you are engaged to Dowton?' he said quickly.
'It is presumption certainly,' replied Mary.
'Why, what else could any one think after that ridiculous affair of the water?'
'I shall never forgive him for that,' Mary said, flushing.