“I lost the line,” said Eldon, looking as if he had lost his life. Batterson flung it to him angrily.
There was nothing for Sheila to do but throw herself on Eldon’s mercy at the first moment when she could steal a word with him alone.
He did not say, “You had no mercy on me.”
She knew it. It was more eloquent unsaid. He was a gallant gentleman, and sealed away his hopes of Sheila in a tomb.
At dinner Sheila told Bret about the incident, and he was secure enough in the stronghold of her possession to recognize the chivalry of his ex-rival.
“Mighty white of him,” he said. “Didn’t anybody else notice it?”
“I put my gloves on right afterward,” said Sheila, “but I—I don’t dare wear it again.”
“Don’t dare wear your wedding-ring!” Winfield roared. “Say, what kind of a marriage is this, anyway?”
“I hope it’s not dependent on a piece of metal round my finger,” Sheila protested. “Your real wedding-ring is round my heart.”
This was not enough for Winfield. She explained to him patiently (and gladly because of the importance he gave the emblem) that she played an unmarried girl in the comedy. And the audience would be sure to spot the wedding-ring.