"Do not feel so badly over it, Roma, darling. No doubt the committee were governed somewhat by partiality, thinking that the prize ought to be given some poor girl who needed the money."
Jesse felt the delicate thrust, and answered quickly:
"You were struck with her beauty yourself, Mrs. Clarke!"
"Yes, she is a very pretty girl," she replied, rather carelessly, then paused, as Malcolm Dean lifted his hand for silence, and said in the hush that followed:
"Will Miss Lester please come forward and receive the prize?"
A wild impulse came to Devereaux to escort Liane forward. How proud he would be to take that little fluttering hand and lead her to the rostrum to receive the award! He knew that every eye would be on them, that it would be a virtual declaration of his sentiments toward her, but he gloried in the thought. He rose quickly, exclaiming:
"Excuse me, please!"
But Mrs. Clarke's voice, cold and grating, fell on his ear:
"Please escort Roma to the open air—to the carriage! Do you not see that she is almost fainting?"
Roma was indeed drooping heavily against her mother, in pretended weakness. Her ruse had its effect. Jesse had to offer his arm and lead her from the room, followed by her mother. After some little delay their carriage was found, and, while placing them in it, Mrs. Clarke said coolly: