Henry Porter came into the parlour in time to catch a glimpse of confusion and unusual attitude in his daughter and Hayward. He thought best to mount guard, and decided to talk Hayward into flight. He began with a panegyric on Shaw. Hayward caught the hint and took his leave, pulling Lily to the front door by a chain of conversation.
"Now remember," he murmured tenderly, "you hold my secret; and must keep it sacredly."
"Have no fear of me. Watch your other confidante," Lily whispered, her manner full as his of tenderness.
"Oh, she is—"
"Shaw told 'em," began the persistent and suspicious parent, coming out of the parlour;—but the footman was gone down the steps.
Hayward's mood changed in a twinkling and with a jolt. He walked a hundred paces thinking confusedly.
The question slowly framed itself in his mind.... "Do I love Lily?"
But he did not answer it.
CHAPTER XX
The oncoming summer promised to be long and uneventful for Helen Phillips. Late in May her mother took her and her two little sisters to Stag Inlet, leaving a perspiring father to await the perverse pleasure of a stubborn Congress before beginning his vacation, and Elise to set out upon a round of visiting that would permit her to see very little of home during the hot months. To Mrs. Phillips the restfulness of "Hill-Top" was gratefully refreshing after her trying first winter in Washington. She gave herself over fully to its soothing quiet and arranged her daily programmes on the simplest lines.