A minute later the wood ended, while the sunlight, as always pitiless, etched with distinctness the scene at the west end of the cabin.  Instinctively, to save Edith, Henderson set the horn blowing.  He had thought to drive to the city, but Polly Ammon arose crying:  “Phil!  Phil!” Tom Levering was on his feet shouting and waving, while Edith in her most imperial manner ordered him to turn into the lane leading through the woods beside the cabin.

“Find some way for me to have a minute alone with her,” she commanded as he stopped the car.

“That is my sister Polly, her fiance Tom Levering, a friend of mine named Henderson, and——­” began Philip,

“—­and Edith Carr,” volunteered Elnora.

“And Edith Carr,” repeated Philip Ammon.  “Elnora, be brave, for my sake.  Their coming can make no difference in any way.  I won’t let them stay but a few minutes.  Come with me!”

“Do I seem scared?” inquired Elnora serenely.  “This is why you haven’t had your answer.  I have been waiting just six weeks for that motor.  You may bring them to me at the arbour.”

Philip glanced at her and broke into a laugh.  She had not lost colour.  Her self-possession was perfect.  She deliberately turned and walked toward the grape arbour, while he sprang over the west fence and ran to the car.

Elnora standing in the arbour entrance made a perfect picture, framed in green leaves and tendrils.  No matter how her heart ached, it was good to her, for it pumped steadily, and kept her cheeks and lips suffused with colour.  She saw Philip reach the car and gather his sister into his arms.  Past her he reached a hand to Levering, then to Edith Carr and Henderson.  He lifted his sister to the ground, and assisted Edith to alight.  Instantly, she stepped beside him, and Elnora’s heart played its first trick.

She could see that Miss Carr was splendidly beautiful, while she moved with the hauteur and grace supposed to be the prerogatives of royalty.  And she had instantly taken possession of Philip.  But he also had a brain which was working with rapidity.  He knew Elnora was watching, so he turned to the others.

“Give her up, Tom!” he cried.  “I didn’t know I wanted to see the little nuisance so badly, but I do.  How are father and mother?  Polly, didn’t the mater send me something?”

“She did!” said Polly Ammon, stopping on the path and lifting her chin as a little child, while she drew away her veil.

Philip caught her in his arms and stooped for his mother’s kiss.

“Be good to Elnora!” he whispered.

“Umhu!” assented Polly.  And aloud—­“Look at that ripping green and gold symphony!  I never saw such a beauty!  Thomas Asquith Levering, you come straight here and take my hand!”

Edith’s move to compel Philip to approach Elnora beside her had been easy to see; also its failure.  Henderson stepped into Philip’s place as he turned to his sister.  Instead of taking Polly’s hand Levering ran to open the gate.  Edith passed through first, but Polly darted in front of her on the run, with Phil holding her arm, and swept up to Elnora.  Polly looked for the ring and saw it.  That settled matters with her.