"Did you ever play puss-in-the-corner?" asked Dolores.
"You witch!" exclaimed Lord James. To divert her attention, he drew her to him and slipped a ring on her slender finger. "Ha! Caught you napping! It's on—fast!" She gave him an adorable look. "If it's ever taken off, you'll have to do it."
"That shall be—never!" he replied. Drawing her arm through his, he led her toward the door. "We're on our way, Tom. See you later at the car, I daresay. Must go now to break the news to 'Mamma.'"
"Won't she be surprised!" exulted Dolores. "It's such a joke that you
and Genevieve didn't tell her! She's so sure of her methods—so sure.
She'll find there are others who have methods, won't she, Lord
Avondale?"
"Most charming methods!" agreed Lord James.
"S'long, Jimmy!" said Blake, gripping the other's carelessly offered hand. "Here's congratulations and good luck to you! Tell her—tell the others good-bye for me. I'll not come to the car. Tell 'em I'm too—too busy."
"Right-o! But we'll look to see you in town before a great while," replied Lord James, and he hurried Dolores out through the vestibule.
From the verandah the girl's clear voice sounded through the closed doors, free and merry, almost mocking.