Then, without any warning and utterly against his will, this young man of
much experience and self-control blushed furiously, and was glad enough
when the door closed behind Mrs. Bowman.

Miss Remington walked into the drawing-room with a steady step, but with a
rapidly beating heart. Her real ordeal had now come. She cast about in her
mind for subjects of conversation which should forestall unsafe topics,
and intuitively sought the protection of the Judge's wife. But immediately
she saw her hostess making straight for the little Chippendale chair
beside her.

"My dear, it is too lovely," she began. "So opportune! Do tell me how long
you have known Tryon?"

The girl caught her breath and gathered her wits together. She looked up
shyly into the pleasantly curious eyes of Mrs. Bowman, and a faint gleam
of mischief came into her face.

"Why----" Her hesitation seemed only natural, and Mrs. Bowman decided that
there must be something very special between these two. "Why, not so very
long, Mrs. Bowman--not as long as you have known him." She finished with a
smile which Mrs. Bowman decided was charming.

"Oh, you sly child!" she exclaimed, playfully tapping the round cheek with
her fan. "Did you meet him when he was abroad this summer?"

"Oh, no, indeed!" said the girl, laughing now in spite of herself. "Oh,
no; it was after his return."