"How do you know?" asked Harry defiantly. "Were you ever in love with her? From something she said this evening I am half inclined to——"
"I was in love with her sister, many years ago," said Jermyn softly; "so I know the family quality."
"I beg your pardon," said Harry, humbly, and trying hard to be once more a gentleman. "But she said——"
"'Tis no matter what she said. Be a man; be a lover; be a gentleman. Sh—h—h-!—they're coming."
Kate entered with Fenie, who greeted Jermyn effusively, while Harry chatted with his sister, there being no one else for him to speak to, for Trixy had disappeared. Kate and Jermyn soon succeeded in making the conversation general, and in compelling Harry and Fenie to talk to each other. Then Jermyn and Kate began to admire some of the Highwoods' pictures so intently that Harry and Fenie could talk only to each other; they dropped their voices, but the tones were audible and promised well. Finally, as the others turned they saw something which caused them to say:
"We beg a thousand pardons."
"You needn't," replied Fenie bravely. "We've made up, and I don't care if all the world knows it, for it was all my fault from the first."
"What a fib!" exclaimed Harry.
"It isn't! But how—" here Fenie turned to Kate, "did you chance to come to the rescue? My heart was almost broken."
"And mine," added Harry.