“I suspected the old fox knew more than he owned up to me, though when I taxed him with it he was ready to lie out of it,” David said. He drew Barbara to him and kissed her carelessly full on the mouth. Then when she would have withdrawn herself from his arms, he laughed, and held her strongly to him, looking deep into her eyes. “You don’t want to get away from me,” he said. “You are mine; didn’t you know that?” He kissed her a dozen times, hotly, eagerly, holding her breathless, crushed against his breast, releasing her at last, flushed and tremulous, her heavy hair loosened on her neck. David watched her with amused eyes, as she restored the hairpins to place, following the curving lines of her young figure appreciatively. “You need some handsome gowns, Barbara, to set off your good looks,” he said. “You’ll have them, too, when you’re my wife.” He took her hand. “I’ll wager you’ve been wondering why I didn’t bring you a ring,” he went on exuberantly. “Girls always like rings, and I see you don’t wear anything but that plain one. Here, I’ll——” “Don’t take it off,” implored Barbara. “It was my mother’s. It was her wedding ring.” “That’s all right, dear. But you must take it off, just the same. You can wear it on the other hand, if you like—or put it away; a keepsake like that is best locked up in some box. I’ll give you all the rings you’ll need to wear from now on.” He snapped open a tiny case of white velvet and flashed its imbedded jewel in her averted eyes. “Do you like it, dear? Do you think it’s pretty? I couldn’t get anything decent in this hole, of course, so I sent to the city for it. It just came by express, last night. I found it when I got back from my delightful ride with that old crab, Jarvis.” “It—it’s beautiful, David, but——” “I hope it’ll fit; let me put it on, dearest.” “David—I—can’t; don’t you see—I am not free to—to——” “What in Heaven’s name are you talking about? Aren’t we engaged?” “I—don’t know,” the girl said slowly. “No,—not till fall. You mustn’t——” “Damn old Jarvis, if he’s been putting any such notions into your head!” cried David. “Why, Barbara, you’re talking nonsense. Didn’t he tell you you could get a release? I’ll buy the fellow off. I told Jarvis I would.” “You told him?”