From Del’s eyes blazed that fury which we reserve for those we love when they exasperate us.  “Shame on you, Arthur Ranger!” she exclaimed.  “Shame on you!  See what a snob you have become.  Except that he’s poor, Dory Hargrave has the advantage of any man we know.  He’s got more in his head any minute than you or your kind in your whole lives.  And he is honorable and a gentleman—­a real gentleman, not a pretender.  You aren’t big enough to understand him; but, at least, you know that if it weren’t for your prospects from father, you wouldn’t be in the same class with him. He is somebody in himself.  But you—­and—­and your kind—­what do you amount to, in yourselves?”

Arthur lowered at her.  “So this is what you’ve been leading up to, with all the queer talk you’ve been giving me on and off, ever since we came home.”

That remark seemed to Adelaide for an instant to throw a flood of light in amazing revelation upon her own innermost self.  “I believe it is!” she exclaimed, as if dazed.  Then the light seemed to go, seemed to have been only imaginary.  It is not until we are much older than Del then was, that we learn how our acts often reveal us to ourselves.

“So you’re in love with Dory,” scoffed Arthur.  “You’re a wonder—­you are!  To go about the world and get education and manners and culture, and then to come back to Saint X and take up with a jay—­a fellow that’s never been anywhere.”

“Physically, he hasn’t traveled much,” said Del, her temper curiously and suddenly restored.  “But mentally, Artie, dear, he’s been distances and to places and in society that your poor brain would ache just at hearing about.”

“You’ve lost your senses!”

“No, dear,” replied Del sweetly; “on the contrary, I’ve put myself in the way of finding them.”

“You needn’t ‘bluff’ with me,” he retorted.  He eyed her suspiciously.  “There’s some mystery in this.”

Del showed that the chance shot had landed; but, instantly recovering herself, she said:  “It may interest you to know that a while ago, when I told you I was engaged to him, I felt a little uneasy.  You see, I’ve had a long course at the same school that has made such a gentleman of you.  But, as the result of your talk and the thoughts it suggested, I haven’t a doubt left.  I’d marry Dory Hargrave now, if everybody in the world opposed me.  Yes, the more opposition, the prouder I’ll be to be his wife!”

“What’s the matter, children?” came in their mother’s voice.  “What are you quarreling about?” Mrs. Ranger was hurrying through the room on her way to the kitchen; she was too used to heated discussions between them to be disturbed.

“What do you think of this, mother?” almost shouted Arthur.  “Del here says she’s engaged to Dory Hargrave!”

Mrs. Ranger stopped short.  “Gracious!” she ejaculated.

She felt for her “specs,” drew them down from her hair, and hastily adjusted them for a good look, first at Arthur, then at Del.  She looked long at Del, who was proudly erect and was at her most beautiful best, eyes glittering and cheeks aglow.  “Have you and Ross had a falling out, Del?” she asked.