She felt as if a bucket of ice water had been splashed on her head and was still trickling down her shoulders.
"Come back, Miss Fairfield," she heard somebody saying gaily, and with a start she realised she had been staring blankly into vacancy so stunned was she by Farnsworth's manner.
It was Sam Blaney who spoke, and as he had taken her hand and still held it, Patty suddenly recovered her poise and spirits.
"Time's up, Mr.Blaney," she laughed.

"You have had my hand fully three minutes, and that's the limit.

Somebody else may want it." "Possession is nine points of the law," said Blaney, still retaining her hand.
"But appropriation isn't possession," and Patty gently withdrew her hand from his detaining fingers.
"No, possession must be granted.

Perhaps some time----" "Some time----" Patty assented, smiling, and dismissing Blaney, as more and more people came along.
But at last the reception was over, and the bridal party went to their especial table in the supper room.
Mona, still resplendent in her heavy court train and bridal laces, cut her wedding cake.

She had never looked more beautiful.