“Happy Huntress!” sneered the exasperated young man, for a moment forgetting himself.
“Why, Mr. Mapleson, I hope you are not offended with me,” Gladys said, with surprise, and not once suspecting that this venom was aimed at the object of their conversation; then she added: “Perhaps, however, his colors and yours will be the same, and then I can honor you both.”
Everet Mapleson was glad that supper was announced just at that moment, which saved him the necessity of replying.
The mere thought of sharing any honors with his rival made him white with anger, and her praise of him had driven him nearly frantic.
He saw Geoffrey approaching them, and surmised that he contemplated taking Gladys in to supper.
He resolved that he should not; so, turning to her with a smile, as he laid her hand upon his arm, he remarked:
“That is no doubt a pleasing announcement to everybody. Shall we follow the hungry crowd?”
“Thanks; but I see Geoffrey coming for me; pray find some one else, Mr. Mapleson; I have already occupied more of your time and attention this evening than I ought,” the fair girl responded.
“I could not bestow it more acceptably to myself anywhere else,” he replied, in a low, earnest tone, and detaining the hand which she would have withdrawn from his arm.
At that instant Geoffrey bowed before them.