Miss Blake spoke brightly, tinkling ice in her voice.
"There's no necessity for an explanation, is there? It seems time for congratulations."
"Oh, see here now! Mrs. Keap's really engaged to Culver, you know."
"Culver!"
"Culver!"
Both the young ranchman and his sister stared at the chaperon with growing horror, while she undertook to explain; but the blow had fallen so swiftly that her words were incoherent, and in the midst of them her hostess turned and fled from the room.
"Now don't begin to aviate until you understand the truth," Speed continued. "While she's engaged to that broken-toed serpent, she doesn't love him, do you see?" He smiled.
"I do not see!"
"It was simply a habit Mrs. Keap had got into—I should say it was an impulsive engagement that she has repented of."
"No doubt she was repenting when we interrupted you," said Miss
Blake, bitterly.