years--ago; and in the wave of relief which overwhelmed her, Annesley
forgot Ruthven Smith's question and her answer. She remembered again,
only with the shock of hearing him address the newcomer by the name she
had given.

"I hear from Miss Grayle that we are namesakes," Mr. Ruthven Smith said,
as "Nelson Smith" sprang in and took the girl's bag from her ice-cold
hand.

"I--he asked me ... I told him," Annesley stammered, her eyes appealing,
seeking to explain, and begging pardon. "But if----"

"Quite right. Why _not_ tell?" he answered instantly, his first glance
of surprise turning to cheerful reassurance. "Now Mrs. Ellsworth is
eliminated, I'm no longer a secret. And I expect you'll like to meet Mr.
Ruthven Smith again when you have a house to entertain him in."

So speaking, he offered his hand with a smile to his "namesake"; and
Annesley realized from the outsider's point of view the peculiar
attraction of the man. Ruthven Smith felt it, as she had felt it, though
differently and in a lesser degree. Not only did he shake hands, but
actually came out to the taxi with them, asking Annesley if he should
tell his cousins of her engagement, or if she preferred to give the news
herself?

It flashed into the girl's mind that it would be perfect if she could be
married to her knight by Archdeacon Smith; but she had been imprudent too
often already. She dared not make such a suggestion without consulting
the other person most concerned, so she answered that she would write
Mrs. Smith or see her.