Vaughan pushed before him; and before the girl could speak—for jealousy is a fine spoiler of manners, “This gentleman,” he said, “wishes to see——”
“To see——” said Flixton, with a lower bow.
“Miss Sibson!” Vaughan exclaimed.
The children stared; gazing up into the men’s faces with the undisguised curiosity of childhood. Fortunately the Mary Smith who had to confront these two was no longer the Mary Smith whom Vaughan’s appearance had stricken with panic three days before. For one thing, she knew Miss Sibson better, and feared her less. For another, her fairy godmother—the gleam of whose gifts never failed to leave a hope of change, a prospect of something other than the plodding, endless round—had shown a fresh sign. And last, not least, a more potent fairy, a fairy whose wand had power to turn Miss Sibson’s house into a Palace Beautiful, and Queen’s Square, with its cawing rooks and ordered elms, into an enchanted forest, had visited her.
True, Vaughan had left her abruptly—to cool her burning cheeks and still her heart as she best might! But he had said what she would never forget, and though he had left her doubting, he had left her loving. And so the Mary who found herself addressed by two gallants was much less abashed than she who on Friday had had to do with one.
Still she was astonished by their address; and she showed this, modestly and quietly. “If you wish to see Miss Sibson,” she said—instinctively she looked at Vaughan’s companion—“I will send for her.” And she was in the act of turning, with comparative ease, to despatch one of the children on the errand, when the Honourable Bob interposed.
“But we don’t want Miss Sibson—now,” he said. “A man may change his mind as well as a woman! Eh, old chap?” turning to his friend with simulated good-humour. “I’m sure you will say so, Miss Smith.”
She wondered what their odd manner to one another meant. And, to add to her dignity, she laid her hand on the shoulder of one of her charges and drew her closer.
“Moreover, I’m sure,” Flixton continued—for Vaughan after his first hasty intervention, stood sulkily silent—“I’m sure Mr. Vaughan will agree with me——”
“I?”