"Haven’t you a secret?" asked Di, gravely. "Yes." "Will you tell us?" "No." Di paused before she asked her last question, and Fan and Dora waited breathlessly, while Sophie knit her brows and looked uneasy. "Why not?" "Because I do not wish to tell it." "Will you tell if we guess?" "Try." "You are engaged." At this absurd suggestion Sophie laughed gayly, and shook her curly head. "Do you think we are betrothed at sixteen in my country?" "I _know_ that is an engagement ring,--you made such a time about it when you lost it in the water, and cried for joy when Tilly dived and found it." "Ah, yes, I was truly glad. Dear Tilly, never do I forget that kindness!" and Sophie kissed the little pearl ring in her impulsive way, while her eyes sparkled and the frown vanished. "I _know_ a sweetheart gave it," insisted Di, sure now she had found a clew to the secret. "He did," and Sophie hung her head in a sentimental way that made the three girls crowd nearer with faces full of interest. "Do tell us all about it, dear. It’s so interesting to hear love-stories. What is his name?" cried Dora. "Hermann," simpered Sophie, drooping still more, while her lips trembled with suppressed emotion of some sort. "How lovely!" sighed Fanny, who was very romantic. "Tell on, do! Is he handsome?" "To me the finest man in all the world," confessed Sophie, as she hid her face. "And you love him?" "I adore him!" and Sophie clasped her hands so dramatically that the girls were a little startled, yet charmed at this discovery. "Have you his picture?" asked Di, feeling that she had won her wager now. "Yes," and pulling out the locket again, Sophie showed in the other side the face of a fine old gentleman who looked very like herself. "It’s your father!" exclaimed Fanny, rolling her blue eyes excitedly. "You are a humbug!" cried Dora. "Then you fibbed about the ring," said Di, crossly. "Never! It is mamma’s betrothal ring; but her finger grew too plump, and when I left home she gave the ring to me as a charm to keep me safe. Ah, ha! I have my little joke as well as you, and the laugh is for me this time." And falling back among the sofa cushions, Sophie enjoyed it as only a gay girl could. Do and Fanny joined her; but Di was much disgusted, and vowed she _would_ discover the secret and keep all the bonbons to herself. "You are most welcome; but I will not tell until I like, and then to Fanny first. She will not have ridicule for what I do, but say it is well, and be glad with me. Come now and work. I will plait these ribbons, or paint a wild rose on this pretty fan. It is too plain now. Will you that I do it, dear Di?" The kind tone and the prospect of such an ornament to her gift appeased Di somewhat; but the mirthful malice in Sophie’s eyes made the other more than ever determined to be even with her by and by.