"Because I thought that two was company—three would be a crowd," she responded, proudly tossing back her jetty curls.
"You would always be welcome to me, Iris," he said, huskily. "You know that but too well by this time, don't you?" and his hand closed tightly over the one lying lightly in her lap, and his head drooped nearer still.
"Great Scott! they are almost kissing each other, the two vipers!" panted Katy to herself, her blood fairly boiling in her veins at the sight of this billing and cooing. "Oh, if I only dared put poor Miss Dorothy on her guard!"
She could not refrain from bursting in upon them at this critical instant, and in less time than it takes to tell it she had bounded into the room.
"A-hem, a-hem!" she coughed, pantingly; "but if you please, miss," turning and addressing herself to Iris, "the housekeeper is looking for you, and wants you to come to her."
"Certainly," said Iris, springing up from the piano stool with a face flushed as red as a peony and a very confused look in her eyes; "I will go at once;" and with an assumed smile on her face she glided from the room, muttering below her breath:
"I'd like to choke that little imp of a maid! Whenever I am talking to Harry Kendal, if I turn around I find her at my elbow."
Katy was about to follow Miss Vincent from the room, when Harry called to her.
"Remain a moment," he said. "I wish to see you."
With a little courtesy Katy obeyed.