That was
when each became suddenly aware of the presence of an unexpected girl.
Naturally, the Englishman was seriously staggered. The unexplained
Eleanor appeared before his very eyes as an accusing nemesis; it is no
wonder that his jaw dropped and his befuddled brain took to whirling.
The girls, less regardful of appearances, climbed down from the
platform and started forward to meet their knights-errant. The reader
may readily appreciate the feelings of the quartette. Not one of them
knew just precisely how much or how little the others knew; they were
precariously near to being lost in the labyrinth. Something intangible
but regular urged Windomshire to be politic; he advanced to meet
Eleanor as if it were her due. Anne fell back, perplexed and hurt.
"Hang it all," thought Joe, rage in his heart, "he beat me to her,
after all. He'll be enough of a damned ass to try to kiss her before
all these people, too." Whereupon, he closed his eyes tightly. When he
opened them, Miss Courtenay was walking beside him and asking
questions about the weather. Her cheeks were very pink. Windomshire
had awkwardly clasped the hand of Miss Thursdale, muttering something
not quite intelligible, even to himself.
Pages:
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69