ggy waved her hand towards the library
window, and quickened her pace into a run. There was nobody in the
window, it is true, but then there might have been, and if people chose
to build up theories of their own, it was really a kindness to provide
them with materials!

So far as Hector himself was concerned, the episode of Rob's unexpected
appearance put an effectual stop to those _tete-a-tetes_ which he had
anticipated. Peggy was as slippery as an eel, and as his ankle kept him
confined to one room, he was obliged to put up with her caprices, and
resign himself to solitude during those hours when host and hostess were
engaged. She would talk to him, read to him, play games with him, amuse
him by a dozen quaint representations and monologues, providing always
that a third person was in the room, but directly they were left alone
together, sudden business summoned her to another part of the house, and
she whisked away before he had time to protest. He longed for his ankle
to be well enough to allow pursuit; but when that time came Arthur and
Eunice were due, and he must needs return to The Larches to make way for
their arrival. It was disappointing, but he reminded himself that he
had at least made one step in advance. Peggy knew what he wished; she
would have time to get accustomed to the idea, and within the next month
he would certainly find his opportunity.

To Peggy, jarred and wounded with the strain of acting a double part,
what a relief it was to see Arthur's beloved face again, and to discover
at the first glimpse that Rosalind's engagement had had no power to
shadow the radiance of his smile. Whatever he had suffered he had borne
in secret, as his manner was, keeping a brave front to the world, and
seeming to lift the burden of others by the very magnetism of his cheery
presence. Peggy had driven to the station in the lowest possible stage
of dejection, but she felt life worth living again, as Arthur pinched
her arm in acknowledgment of a new coat, gave a dexterous little jerk to
her elbow, which sent her parasol flying along the platform, and
murmured plaintively:

"Still scattering possessions broadcast! How do you think I can afford
to buy you fineries, if you throw them about in that slipshod fashion?"

"You may pick it up yourself--I won't!" cried Peggy haughtily; but
before Arthur had a chance of disputing the point, Eunice had stepped
into the breach, and was presenting at once the parasol a