The pretty face fell, the corners of the little mouth were drawn downward, and the tiny hand fell from his shoulder.
"Now then—now then!" cried Pryor, rising and patting her cheeks lightly. "You need not look as though I had locked you up in the closet. This dinner has been arranged for a week, and I could not possibly decline. But that need not hinder your arrangements at all, for Lowell will be here, and he can act in my place. I shall perhaps be able to make my own excuses before I leave, and just authorize him to do the honors. I don't think I would ask any one but Edith's cousin, then you can make a little family dinner of the first one."
"And are you not going to the stag dinner, Mr. Lowell?" asked Miss Pryor, lifting her sweet eyes to his face, glowing with good humor again.
"No."
"That is just lovely of you. I should kiss you if I dared."
"I shall not resist in the least," laughed Neil.
"Well, some other time! Then we shall have the family dinner to-night. Oh, I shall be so glad to see Edith! I do wonder what her cousin is like? I hope he will be pleasant and companionable for you, Mr. Lowell."
"That is very kind of you, Miss Alice, but I much prefer the society of the ladies."
"Right again, Lowell! Gad! you are the most sensible boy I ever saw!" exclaimed Mr. Pryor admiringly.
"Then we may count upon you for dinner to-night, Mr. Lowell?" interrupted Alice.