She had humiliated Earle Winans, punished him as she had vowed to do in her childish resentment. But was the triumph sweet?
Aura thought not as she saw the white shoulders heaving with a storm of smothered sobs.
"She threw Earle's heart away, and now she is sorry," thought Aura, and fled back to her home somewhat comforted by the thought that all was over between Earle and Miss Conway. She would try to win him now herself while he was angry with the pretty coquette.
Earle was indeed very angry as he walked slowly toward his own home, leaving the twinkling village lights behind him in the distance.
He had received such a cruel shock that he could not tell whether he loved or hated Ladybird most.
With a heart full of love he had written to her that morning, asking leave to call that evening for the answer she had promised when he asked her to wear his ring.
She had answered with one simple little word: "Come."
"And I went for—what?" he growled furiously to himself; "to be made a fool of with a dozen other idiots—puppets that she pulled with a string!" and he gnashed his white teeth in rage.
But he knew that he had had his triumph, too. He had seen her quail momentarily at his proud refusal. He knew that she was wounded.
"She could not bend Earle Winans' proud spirit, and that will be a thorn in her pillow to-night," he laughed harshly.