She'd scorn to be an eavesdropper herself, and she'd scorn and despise me if she knew that I just sat there like a graven image and listened to Phil the same as propose to her." Hitherto Mary had looked upon Malcolm as Lloyd's especial knight, and had planned to be his valiant champion should need for her services ever arise.

But this put matters in a different light.

All her sympathies were enlisted in Phil's behalf now.

She liked Phil the best, and she wanted him to have whatever he wanted.

He had called her his "angel unawares," and she wished she could do something to further deserve that title.