“And Mrs. King smi—smiled at me.” Grace broke down, and cried into her handkerchief, so that Charlie jumped up. “See here,” he said abruptly, “I want to take you down to see some of the greenhouses; they’re wonders.” He made her get up, and take his arm again, while he hurried her off over the grounds. But they hadn’t gone far, when she saw a lady in advance walking with two gentlemen.
“There’s Aunt!” she cried; and before Charley could say anything, she broke away from him, and rushed down a side path.
It was worse than useless to follow her, as the attention thus drawn to her would be disastrous. So Charley sauntered along, first getting a good view of “Aunt” in her lavender bonnet, so he would know her again, and then hastening to the mansion, if perchance he might befriend Grace once more.
“Charley Swan!” exclaimed Bella, running up, “where is—er—Angela Strange?”
“Miss Tupper has just left me,” said Charley gravely, and pausing abruptly.
“Miss Tupper? Oh, my good gracious!” cried Bella with a little laugh, “you mean Miss Strange.”
“She says her name is Tupper,” said Charley. “I really suppose she ought to know.”
“Oh, dear, dear! then she has told you,” said Bella with a long sigh. “Well, I’m glad. Such an afternoon as I’ve had!”
“See here, Bella,” said Charley. “You get her; she’s run down that path,” nodding in the direction of Grace’s flight; “and you and I will take her home. She took fright because she saw her aunt. Be lively now.”
“Dear, dear!” cried Bella in vexation and alarm. “Well, I’m sure, precious little comfort I’ve had at this reception!”