He stood looking after her, half-dazed by his conflicting feelings. Turning, Mrs. Willoughby saw and understood him at once. She came to his side and said kindly, "Sit down, Mr. Houghton, I've not had a chance to talk with you yet." With an involuntary sigh he complied. CHAPTER XXV FEMININE FRIENDS Mrs. Willoughby was a woman of the world, yet in no bad sense. Indeed, beneath the veneer of fashionable life she possessed much kindliness of nature. She was capable of a good deal of cynicism toward those who she said "ought to be able to take care of themselves," and in this category she placed Clancy and Miss Ainsley. "I shall leave both to paddle their own canoes," she had said to herself. Looking kindly at Houghton, who seemed to have lost his volubility, and waited for her to speak again, she thought: "If this young fellow was infatuated with Caroline I'd warn him quick enough." With the astuteness of a matron she merely remarked: "You seem greatly pleased with my little friend, Miss Bodine. You must not trifle with her, if she is poor, for she comes of one of the best families in the State." "Trifle with Miss Bodine! What do you take me for, Mrs. Willoughby?" and he rose indignantly. "There, now, sit down, my friend. I only said that so you might reveal how sincere you are, and I won't use any more diplomacy with you." "I hope not," he replied laughing grimly. "You ought to know, what I am fast finding out, that a young fellow, like me, can no more understand a woman, unless she is frank, than he can Choctaw." Mrs. Willoughby laughed heartily, and said: "I'll be frank with you, if you will be so with me." "Then tell me why I am treated by so many in your set as if I had overrun the South with fire and sword?" His first question proved that she could not be frank, for in order to give an adequate explanation she would have to reveal to him his father's animus and the hostility it evoked. She temporized by saying: "I do not so treat you, and surely Miss Bodine seemed to enjoy your conversation." "I'm not so sure of that. At any rate she said she would have to ostracize me like the rest." "She was kind in telling you that she would have to do so. She certainly bears you no ill-will." "She probably does not care enough about me yet to do that. The worst of it is that I shall have no chance. Her father objects to her having anything to do with me, and that blocks everything. Even if I were capable of seeking a clandestine acquaintance, she is not. She is a thoroughly good girl; she doesn't know how to be deceitful." "I'm glad you appreciate her so truly." "I'd be a donkey if I didn't." "Well, don't be unwise in your future action."