"Why, she looks—she looks as if you could blow her away!" he cried, staring into the doctor's face, while his own flushed.
"Miss Fountain's health has not been strong this winter," said the doctor gravely, his spectacled eyes travelling up and down Mason's tall figure. "You, I suppose, became acquainted with her in Westmoreland?"
"Acquainted with her!" The young man checked himself, flushed still redder, then resumed. "Well, we're cousins, you see—though of course I don't mean to say that we're her sort—you understand?"
"Miss Fountain is ready," said Mrs. Friedland.
Mason looked round, saw the little figure in the doorway, and hastily saluting the Friedlands, took his leave.
"My dear," said the doctor anxiously, laying hold on his wife's arm, "should we have asked him to lunch?"
His wife smiled.
"By no means. That's Laura's business."
"Well, but, Jane—Jane! had you realised that young man?"
"Oh dear, yes," said Mrs. Friedland. "Don't excite yourself, John."