"'Well,' said I, 'I'm very much obliged to you for your advice—but circumstances over which I have no control prevent me from taking it. There—is that satisfactory?'
"'Quite, 'said Louie, and her old smile returned.
"'Do you wish me to tell you what the circumstances are?'
"'Oh, no—oh, don't—' she cried, with an absurd affectation of consternation. 'Oh, Captain Randolph—please. Ple-e-e-aase, Captain Randolph—don't.'
"So I didn't."
"Well, Jack," said I, "how in the world did you manage to carry on such conversations when the rest of the family were there? Wouldn't they overhear you?"
"Oh, no. You see they were in one room at their whist, and we were in the other. Besides, we didn't speak loud enough for them to hear— except occasionally."
"So Louie didn't take offence."
"Oh, no, we made it up again at once. She gave me a beaming smile as I left. I'll see her again this evening."
"And the others through the day?"