"And Agnes was going to fling this bombshell straight at that poor
thing!"

Then Tilly knew that Will was on the right side; that he pitied Peggy,
and that he would agree with all that grandmother had said about her and
her innocence and ignorance of real facts. This estimate of Master
Will's sympathy was not a mistaken one. He not only agreed with
grandmother about Peggy's innocence and ignorance, but in grandmother's
kind conclusion "that they must be good to her."

"But what did you mean about Tom? What has he done to make you think so
much better of him?" Will asked curiously.

While Tilly was enlightening him upon this point, Tom's voice was heard
saying, "Oh, here they are," and Tom himself came round the clump of
sheltering bushes accompanied by Peggy. And "We've been looking for you
everywhere," said Peggy. "We've just had another of the Strauss waltzes,
and the next thing is the 'Lancers;' and we want you and Tilly--"

"Will Wentworth, I want my property, if you please; that paper I gave
you to keep for me," a very different voice--a high, sharp voice that
the whole four recognized at once--interrupted here.

Tilly started, and turned pale.

"Don't be frightened, Tilly, she sha'n't have it," whispered Will.

Agnes flushed resentfully as she came forward and saw the confidential
friendliness of the little group. For "that girl" she had been neglected
and disregarded like this! Not a moment longer would she bear such