"Oh, didn’t she?" "No, she didn’t, and she’s just the finest, dearest woman in the whole wide—unmarried state!" "Thank you," said Lola, "but you needn’t have minded. And so I’m to congratulate you? I’ve been so anxious to hear, but our mail has never caught up with us since the day we left New York." "Oh, bless your heart, there are no congratulations—only good wishes, I hope. Take note of the exact mathematical equality in the distances by which Richland and Sir Monocle and I are removed from the chair of the Lady Beautiful. Could anything be more beautifully impartial?" "And who is the ancient gentleman with Elise?" Lola asked. "Some old party from York State. Bachelor uncle or cousin or some such chap—quite a character too, it seems—danced with Dolly Madison or Martha Washington or the Queen of Sheba or somebody like that in his youth. Miss Phillips was telling me of him awhile ago." "That was a very safe subject of discussion," said Lola. "Yes," Rutledge replied grimly, "and do you know I tried my very hardest to lose him out of the conversation and he just wouldn’t drop. Miss Phillips must be greatly interested in him." "Anything will do in a pinch, Mr. Rutledge. What were you trying to talk about?" "Oh, that’s it, you think? Well I wish I had ten good minutes with her. I’d make the talk—for half the time—or know the reason why." "I think I remember that Elise told me once that you could be very abrupt." "Yes, and I’m going to do a few stunts in abruptness that will surprise her the next time I have a chance. I’ve tried the easy and graceful approach for the last six weeks, and it’s getting on my nerves." "I tell you what, Mr. Rutledge," Lola laughed, "Elise is to be with me to-morrow evening. You come around after dinner, and I promise you shall have a square deal and ten minutes at least for your very own. Come early and avoid the rush." "Good. I’ll do it. You are a trump!" "And you may run along now if you wish," she said as they came out of the dining-room, "and take her away from the old party before the others get a chance at her." "You’ll go to heaven when you die," Rutledge whispered as he left her.... Evans met some difficulty in cutting Elise out of the herd. It took time and determination and some strategy to carry the smiling young hostess off down the hall alone; but he brought it to pass, and drew a breath of exultation when he had shaken himself free. However, turn where he would, every nook and corner seemed to be occupied. He was not openly on the hunt for a retired spot, but he was wishing for one with a prayerful heart and wide-open eyes.