They were nearing the house: five minutes more would bring them in sight of the open lawn.
"Wait a minute, Madge, dear," said he, and he halted by the side of a little bit of plantation. "Don't be in such a hurry. I wish to speak to you about——"
"About what?" she asked, with a smile.
"Oh, a whole heap of things! For example, do you want the Somervilles to know?"
"I don't particularly want them to know," she answered him, "but I fear they will soon find out."
"I should like you to tell Mrs. Somerville, anyway."
"Very well."
"Indeed, I don't care if all the people in the house knew!" said he, boldly.
"Hubert, what are you saying!" she exclaimed, with a fine simulation of horror. "My life would be made a burden to me! Fancy those Drexel girls: they would shriek with joy at the chance of torturing me! I should have to fly from the place. I should take the first train for the South to-morrow morning!"
"Really!" said he, with considerable coolness. "For I have been thinking that those names we printed on the sands——"