"Then there is some one else?"
"There is some one else," she answered in a voice so true that its cadence hurt the more.
Ned looked upon the ground; then he lifted hopeless eyes. "Of course I am an ass; I always was one. But you will come out in the machine? I haven't the nerve to explain; and I'll help you find the horses—for the other man——" he choked out.
Isabel could not refuse the humble request.
CHAPTER XVI
The luxurious touring car sped away. In the tonneau Mrs. Hartley and madame chatted with no suspicion of Ned's unhappy state. The morning was glorious.
"Please come," the boy had begged; then added, "if you don't, 'the mater' will want to know the reason why."
"We must be the best of friends," Isabel whispered, as she took her place in front.
"Is ze country not de-vine?" cried the old French woman. "So like La Riviera! my southern France!"