[XXII]

"Well!" Mr. Woods observed, lengthening the word somewhat.

In the intimate half-light of the summer-house, he loomed prodigiously

big. He was gazing downward in careful consideration of three fat

tortoise-shell pins and a surprising quantity of gold hair, which was

practically all that he could see of Miss Hugonin's person; for that

young lady had suddenly become a limp mass of abashed violet ruffles,

and had discovered new and irresistible attractions in the mosaics

about her feet.

Billy's arms were crossed on his breast and his right hand caressed