It was difficult to resist the entreaty, but Mr. Hardy had a very fair idea of the duration of Miss Nugent’s gratitude; and, besides that, Murchison was only too plainly enjoying his discomfiture.

“She can get home alone all right,” he whispered.

Miss Nugent drew herself up disdainfully; Dr. Murchison, looking scandalized at his brusqueness, hastened to the rescue.

“As a medical man,” he said, with a considerable appearance of gravity, “I don’t think that Mrs. Kybird ought to go home alone.”

“Think not?” inquired Hardy, grimly.

“Certain of it,” breathed the doctor.

“Well, why don’t you take her?” retorted Hardy; “it’s all on your way.  I have some news for Miss Nugent.”

Miss Nugent looked from one to the other, and mischievous lights appeared in her eyes as she gazed at the carefully groomed and fastidious Murchison.  From them she looked to the other side of the room, where Mrs. Kybird was stolidly eyeing Mrs. Kingdom, who was trying in vain to appear ignorant of the fact.

[Illustration:  “The carefully groomed and fastidious Murchison.”]

“Thank you very much,” said Miss Nugent, turning to the doctor.

“I’m sorry,” began Murchison, with an indignant glance at his rival.

“Oh, as you please,” said the girl, coldly.  “Pray forgive me for asking you.”

“If you really wish it,” said the doctor, rising.  Miss Nugent smiled upon him, and Hardy also gave him a smile of kindly encouragement, but this he ignored.  He crossed the room and bade Mrs. Kingdom good-bye; and then in a few disjointed words asked Mrs. Kybird whether he could be of any assistance in seeing her home.

“I’m sure I’m much obliged to you,” said that lady, as she rose.  “It don’t seem much use for me waiting for my future son-in-law.  I wish you good afternoon, ma’am.  I can understand now why Jack didn’t come.”

With this parting shot she quitted the room and, leaning on the doctor’s arm, sailed majestically down the path to the gate, every feather on her hat trembling in response to the excitement below.

“Good-natured of him,” said Hardy, glancing from the window, with a triumphant smile.

“Very,” said Miss Nugent, coldly, as she took a seat by her aunt.  “What is the news to which you referred just now?  Is it about my father?”