an interested air.

"Aunt--I've never told you and I know I ought to have," Rachel blurted
out. "But I'm--I'm engaged to a Mr. Adrian Flemming, and he's coming
here to call on you--to call on us, this afternoon at four o'clock."

Miss Deane closed her eyes and gave a little sigh.

"You might have given me _rather_ longer notice, dear," she said.

"It isn't two yet," Rachel replied. "There are more than two hours to
get ready for him."

Miss Deane bridled slightly. "I must have my rest before he comes," she
said, and added: "I suppose you've told him about us, dear?"

"About _you_?" Rachel asked.

Miss Deane nodded, complacently.

"Well, not very much," Rachel admitted.

Miss Dean's look, as she playfully threatened Rachel with her
long-handled lorgnette, was distinctly sly.

"Then he doesn't know yet that there are two of us?" she simpered.
"Won't it be just a little bit of a shock to him, my dear?"

Rachel drew a long breath and leaned back in her chair. "Yes," she said
curtly, "I expect it will."