“Refused me? Who? What do you mean?” asked Michael looking puzzled. “Why, Hester—Miss Semple. She hasn’t turned you down, old chap?” “Miss Semple! Why, Will, you never thought—you don’t think she ever thought—?” “Well, I didn’t know,” said Will embarrassedly, “it looked pretty much like it sometimes. There didn’t seem much show for me. I’ve thought lately you had it all settled and were engaged sure.” “Oh, Will,” said Michael in that tone that showed his soul was moved to its depth. “I say, old chap!” said Will, “I’m fiercely sorry I’ve butted in to your affairs. I never dreamed you’d feel like this. But seeing I have, would you mind telling me if you’ll give me a good send off with Hester? Sort of ‘bless-you-my-son,’ you know; and tell me you don’t mind if I go ahead and try my luck.” “With all my heart, Will. I never thought of it, but I believe it would be great for you both. You seem sort of made for each other.” “It’s awfully good of you to say so,” said Will, “but I’m afraid Hester doesn’t think so. She’s all taken up with you.” “Not at all!” said Michael eagerly. “Not in the least. I’ve never noticed it. I’m sure she likes you best.” And it was so from that night that Michael almost always had some excuse for staying later at the room, or for going somewhere else for a little while so that he would have to leave them half way home; and Hester and Will from that time forth walked together more and more. Thus Michael took his lonely way, cut off from even this friendly group. And the summer and the winter made the second year of the colony at Old Orchard. Then, the following spring Starr Endicott and her mother came home and things began to happen. Chapter XIX Starr was eighteen when she returned, and very beautiful. Society was made at once aware of her presence. Michael, whose heart was ever on the alert to know of her, and to find out where Mr. Endicott was, saw the first notice in the paper. Three times had Endicott crossed the water to visit his wife and daughter during their stay abroad, and every time Michael had known and anxiously awaited some sign of his return. He had read the society columns now for two years solely for the purpose of seeing whether anything would be said about the Endicott family, and he was growing wondrously wise in the ways of the society world. Also, he had come to know society a little in another way.