"What does being 'engaged right enough' mean exactly?" There had been a something indicating a want of confidence in Reggie's tone. "There's no doubt about me. I'm running straight." "But the girl? What has she to say to it?" "The fact is, she's afraid of Bessie. She can't get over it that I was once considered to be Bessie's property--by Bessie. I never was; but Bessie chose to lay claim to me." "So, although you are engaged to Miss Deleah Day, Miss Deleah Day, so far as I understand the matter, is not engaged to you?" "That's about how we stand at present, I suppose." "I see," Sir Francis said. CHAPTER XXII The Importunate Mr. Gibbon The news that the addresses of young Mr. Forcus were being paid not to her but to her younger sister could not altogether have come as a surprise to Bessie. She must have noticed the direction of the young man's admiring glances; she must have known why, when alone with her, he watched the street till Deleah came in; she must in a measure have been prepared for the fact that he had now declared himself Deleah's lover, and had even sought the approval of Mrs. Day on his suit. But Bessie had no dignity. She gave herself away without reserve whenever occasion offered. She abused Deleah, she scolded her mother, she wept noisily over her wrongs. She declared that there was positive indecency on Deleah's part in encouraging the love-making of a young man who had once, however long ago it was, made love to her. "I don't think Deleah did encourage him, Bessie." "Would he have done it without? You remember what Reggie was in those days, mama, and how he _wanted_ encouragement--" "My dear, Deleah has far too much self-respect--" "There you go! Always Deleah. I suppose if Deleah took up a dinner-knife and stabbed me to the heart you would make excuses for her!" "Oh, Bessie, do not be unjust." "It is you that are unjust. It is you that have spoilt Deleah, with petting and praising and telling her how pretty she is--" "My dear Bessie!" "You don't say it in so many words, but you are always _looking it_ at her. You are, mama! I see you doing it. And when Deda comes home I shall tell her what I think of the way she has behaved to me--the sneaky way; I shan't spare her. She shall hear it all. And then if we live together for twenty years I won't speak to Deleah again. I won't, mama! I won't! I won't!" Poor Mrs. Day hurried away, carrying her harassed face and all her maternal cares into the even more perplexing area of business worries; but Emily having heard the raised voice of her young mistress--Bessie was always shrill when unhinged--went at once to her assistance.