And he added, as some of the crowd around Liane moved aside:
"Please excuse me while I speak to Miss Lester."
Dolly made an angry little pout at him as he moved away. She had forgiven Liane for winning the prize of beauty, but if she carried off Devereaux's heart, too, why, that would be quite different. Liane knew how Dolly had set her heart on him. It would be mean if she came between them, she thought.
She managed to get near them when they met, and marked Liane's blush and smile of pleasure.
"And she always pretended not to care for flirting! But I suppose she will turn over a new leaf from to-night," she muttered jealously, as she edged nearer, trying to overhear everything that passed between the pair.
She had one triumph, at least, when she heard Devereaux prefer a low request to walk home with Liane that evening.
"I am very sorry, but—I have already promised Mr. Dean," the girl murmured back, in regretful tones.