She was crying weakly, pitifully. Philip took her in his arms to comfort her, as if she had been a child.
As fate would have it, Dan opened the door quietly and put his head in.
Immediately he retired, smiling. Philip and Phyllis did not see him, and Dan kept his own counsel.
“Run off to your room and bathe your eyes before mother or uncle see you,” advised Philip, and the woebegone little figure fled from the room and up the staircase.
Philip strode up and down with his hands thrust deep into his pockets.
“This is a nice kettle of fish,” he said to himself. “The old Colonel had longer sight than any of us. My only hope is her fickleness. This infatuation for Dan may burn itself out. But Dan? what if he, thinking Phyllis free, should fall in love with her!”
The promise had been given to Phyllis that her secret should be kept. But in some way Dan must be warned.
Ah! there was Dan smoking in the garden. No time must be lost.
Philip found Dan chuckling to himself.
“I want a chat with you, Dan,” said Philip, scowling.