This malicious mischief mailed and headed for France, Agnes felt better, and awaited results. She would make up with Isabelle in time to hear what Jean Jacques Petard would say now. She hoped he would denounce her as a traitor!
So far as Isabelle was concerned, Agnes and her injured feelings were of no moment. It was a trifle awkward when Percy and Jack arranged a foursome, but by strict formality of intercourse, they managed the situation. The boys were soon aware of it, and found much amusement in urging the combatants to battle. Percy tried to pump Agnes as to the cause of the rupture, but nothing could unseal her lips on the secret. She could imagine what those boys would do if they knew the truth. So poor Agnes suffered in silence, nursed her secret triumph, and staged the moment of Isabelle’s downfall.
Major O’Dell, whom by this time Isabelle counted a friend, approached one day as she dallied with her two admirers.
“I impersonate Mercury, bearing an invitation,” he said.
“I’ll do anything with you, Major O’Dell, but I don’t want to play with your crowd.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t like the women. They pick on me.”
“Larry and I will protect you.”
“Humph!”