During the brief time this significant episode was being enacted, Hazel's attention was attracted to Sam and Dorothy approaching on the drive, so she was unaware of the change that had come over her cousin. "You must come in, Sam, 'cause I like you, and you haven't been to see us for a long time--Oh, mamma, we have had such fine fun, Sam and I"--and there appeared from around the corner of the piazza Dorothy Thorpe pulling Sam Harris along by the sleeve. "Well, Sam," said Mrs. Thorpe, overlooking him from the piazza, "we thought you had forgotten us." "No, indeed," replied Sam, and as he discovered Virginia, he added under his breath: "At least not while that fair party is around." "Of course, you have acted as Mrs. Harris' escort?" "My aunt is on the lawn," he answered, and then as he ascended the steps, greeted Virginia. "Miss Thorpe will permit me to congratulate her upon her safe return." "I have had quite a journey," replied Virginia coldly. "Well, you have enjoyed it?" ventured Sam, and then he noted a swift questioning glance of anger. In his dilemma, he felt an awkwardness creeping over him and grinned broadly, and then stupidly faltered: "That is, I guess so!" "You guess wide of the mark." "Aha," replied Sam, with a roguish twinkle of the eye, "my eyes do not deceive me, eh?" "Flattery is embarrassing to me. I beg of you to avoid it." And she thereupon, with a look of weariness, turned and disappeared through the vestibule. "I guess so! I guess so!" exclaimed Sam, abashed, and a flush of mortification overspread his face. "Do you like auntie, Sam?" abruptly questioned the child. She had softly stolen to his side, unperceived, and her voice sounded so close as to startle him. "Ea, ah!--well, I should think so," he unconsciously muttered. "Mercy!" exclaimed Mrs. Thorpe, who could ill repress a smile--"Dorothy, dear! I think the robins are calling for you out in the sunshine." "Come, little one," said Sam, glad of an opportunity to escape from an awkward position. "And while you are listening to the feathered songsters, I'll keep a sharp lookout for the fair party you call auntie. Come," and he took the child's hand and the two ran down the steps. Darting around the corner, they almost collided with John Thorpe and Mrs. Harris, who were approaching to join the company on the piazza. "Ha--democratic Hazel in the role of 'noblesse oblige,' is something new--congratulations, my lord, on the conquest!" said Mrs. Harris. "I am proud of the acquaintance of so fair a a democrat," and confronting Mrs. Harris, he continued: "England's nobility lays homage at the feet of your fair democrats, for they are the golden links in the chain of conquest." "And it is my hope that soon one of the golden links will bear the distinguished title, Lady Beauchamp," replied Mrs. Harris, while her eyes flashed a merry twinkle in the direction of Hazel.