Walter laughed at the question.
"Valchester in love?" he said. "The idea is too supremely ridiculous to be entertained. What put such an idea in your head, Vi?"
"I don't know," she said. "Yes, I do, too! Last summer, you know, he said she was so fascinating."
"So he did—and so she is," said her brother. "But in love! Valchester is too devoted to his books and his esthetic fancies to fall in love with anything less ethereal than the muse of poetry."
"If you are in love with Lina Meredith, why don't you propose to her and have the matter settled?" she asked, petulantly.
"I didn't know you were anxious to have Lina Meredith for a sister," said Walter, staring.
"I should be very pleased," said Violet, desperately, and she spoke the truth.
She knew that Jaquelina was good and pretty. She had nothing against her except her vague jealousy of Ronald Valchester.
"If you mean to propose for her, pray do so at once, and let us have the wedding this fall," said Violet, with feverish impatience.
Meanwhile Jaquelina's partner, with his tall head bent over her, was saying: