"I wonder what Gavon really thinks about me, and about her," she said to herself. "It was to me he spoke whenever he had a chance this afternoon, but it was at her he looked. Did he wonder at her dowdy dress? Darling Mollie was not at her best; and I felt such a wretch, for I could have made her lovely. When once I am engaged to Gavon, my Mollie shall want for nothing."
Kitty hummed a gay air as she entered the large bedroom which the two girls shared. Mollie was arranging her hair before the glass, and the lace evening dress which she had worn on the previous night lay on her bed.
"What a hurry you are in!" cried Kitty. "We have oceans of time. We need not begin to dress until seven o'clock."
"But I must dress at once," replied Mollie.
"Why?"
Mollie did not answer immediately.
"Why?" repeated Kitty, whose nerves were so strained that she could brook no suspense of any sort.
Mollie thought quickly; then she turned and looked at her sister.
"I will tell you," she said. "Captain Keith wants to see me for a minute or two. It is in connection with a matter which I happened to hear about when I was at Netley—a matter of which you know nothing. Dear little girl, if you are worth your salt you will not be jealous."
Kitty's face turned very white.