Off flew Marcia.
Her haste, the radiance of her face must have suggested to the stranger a thought that had not occurred to him before, for after she had gone, he stood immovable in the middle of the floor looking after her.
Then a slow, shadowy smile passed across his features.
Thrusting his hands into his pockets, he took two or three meditative strides up and down the room.
"So—ho!" he muttered. "So—ho!"
It happened he had quite an opportunity for thought before his hostess returned and he employed it to the utmost.
He was still absorbed in reverie when Marcia, breathless and flushed, rejoined him.
She made no apology for her absence.
Perhaps she did not realize the length of time she had been gone.
"Well," queried she, "what conclusion have you arrived at?"