In a moment the thought occurred that he had called to inquire why she was absent the evening previous; but this pleasant fancy vanished at once when the bell rang, and she heard him, through the open door, ask whether Miss Locke was ready to accompany him.
The young lady started, exclaiming,—
"There he is!—There's Mr. Barton! I must go, now!"
This was followed by some earnest, whispered remark to Ada, and the parting words,—
"You'd better follow my advice, dear; frankness is always best."
Ada arose from her chair to watch them walk away, and then returned to her seat.
"Alice," she began, timidly, her pale cheeks flushing crimson, "how could you tell Mr. Barton that I had an attachment which my parents disapproved; and still worse that this attachment prevented my feeling any interest in serious subjects?"
"Did he report that I said so?"
"That is not answering my question, and I have often heard you pronounce it ill-bred to answer one question by asking another. I only asked why you did it. The fact I know very well."
Perceiving that she could not avoid it, Alice smilingly replied,—