Agnes suspended her letter.
'Perhaps the vicar,' said Mrs.Leyburn, with a little sigh.
A hand turned the drawing-room door, and in the door-way stood Elsmere.
Rose caught a gray dress disappearing up the little stairs behind him.
Elsmere's look was enough for the two girls.

They understood in an instant.

Rose flushed all over.

The first contact with love is intoxicating to any girl of eighteen, even though the romance be not hers.

But Mrs.Leyburn sat bewildered.
Elsmere went up to her, stooped and took her hand.
'Will you give her to me, Mrs.Leyburn ?' he said, his boyish looks aglow, his voice unsteady.