are at her sister, and
automatically struggled to a sitting position.

"Got back?--Do you--is there anything you want?"

Teresa sat down on the side of the bed and threw back her cloak. In the
plainly furnished bedroom her blue dress became at once a rich and
gorgeous garment, the trifling ornament on her neck gleamed with a new
splendour; to Mary's dazzled eyes she appeared a vision of beauty and
happiness.

"What should I want? Cocoa? Coffee? You funny old Martha! your
thoughts never get away from housekeeping. I don't want anything; not
one single thing in the whole wide world. I've got so much already that
I can hardly bear it... Mary! I'm engaged. He _does_ care. He asked
me to-night."

"Who?" asked Mary blankly, and Teresa, staring at her in indignation,
realised that, incredible as it appeared, this ignorance was real, not
feigned. A pricking of curiosity made itself felt; since this most
obtuse of sisters had noticed nothing between herself and Dane, it would
be interesting to see whom she would select as a possible _fiance_. She
smiled, and said, "Guess!"

"Mr Hunter," said Mary promptly.

"Gerald Hunter!" Teresa was transfixed with surprise at the
unexpectedness of the reply, for Gerald Hunter, the young partner of the
local doctor, had come to the neighbourhood some months later than Dane
himself, by which time she had no attention to bestow upon another man.
Hunter was a member of the tennis club, he made a welcome addition to
local dances and bridge teas; occasionally on Sunday afternoons he had
called and stayed to tea. Teresa was aware that he had a dark
complexion, a strong, overhand serve, and a dancing step which went well
with her own, but beyond these preliminaries her mind had not troubled
to go.

"What on earth made you think it was Gerald Hunter?"

"He admires you."

"Oh, well!" Teresa glanced complacently into the tilted mirror which
showed a reflection of flaxen hair, pink cheeks, and rounded shoulders,
sufficiently attractive to merit any man's admiration. The same law of
contrast which made the dress appear rich and elaborate came into
operation as regards its wearer. The mirror reflected the faces of both
sisters, and it was not unnatural that Teresa should feel a thrill of
pleasure at her own fair looks. "Oh, well! But that's different. Lots
of people may _admire_. Guess again, Mary! Somebody far, far more
exciting than Mr Hunter."

But Mary shook her head