“‘To whom?’ said Phil.  ‘But there is no need to ask.’  And at the moment, indeed, almost as if in answer to his question, Grace entered the room from the hall on Herbert’s arm.  I was afraid for an instant that Phil would make a scene.  The veins on his forehead swelled, and he started forward as they passed within a few feet of where we were standing, Grace smiling and talking to Herbert, apparently as oblivious of us as if we had not been within a thousand miles of her; but he mastered the impulse, whatever it was, and I have often speculated as to whether it was to upbraid Grace or to strike Herbert.

“‘Look at her, George,’ he said, with a calmness that was belied by the look in his eyes.  ’You wouldn’t think that three hours ago she had never known him, would you? nor that we had lived in the same house since we were no higher than that.  Her mother, I know, did her best to break my old man’s heart, and I warrant you it was for some such worthless fool as that, who wasn’t fit to black the dear old fellow’s boots.  Poor old dad! we shall be together in the boat:  when I begin to handle hams and barrelled sugar we will write ourselves ‘Kendall & Son’ with a flourish.’  And as we went up the stairs to get his coat and hat he told me to stay and offer to go home with Grace.  ’It wouldn’t do for me to leave her unless you do, George,’ he said; ’but if she wants to go with Herbert, let her; but she shall not say I went away and left her without an escort.’

“I promised readily enough, and even hurried him away.  There was no good in his staying; in fact, I thought it better that he should leave; and after he had gone I went to Grace.  I managed the matter rather badly, but I suppose the most consummate tact on my part would not have changed things.  I should have waited until I saw her alone, or until the party was breaking up; but I went directly I saw they had stopped dancing.  She was leaning on the piano and letting Herbert fan her, and looking almost too beautiful for real life as she turned her face toward him, flushed with her exercise and beaming with excitement.  There was something grand to me in the expression of individuality and proud insistence that had come to her so suddenly.  It was no factitious strife of her nature against the dependence of her position as an adopted daughter, I knew, for she had never felt in the least but that she was perfectly free; it was no caprice or stubbornness; it was merely her womanly assertion of self and her unconscious protest against what she thought injustice.  She would not have believed from any one but Phil himself that he was in love with her and jealous.

“‘Phil has gone away,’ I said bluntly, interrupting their talk.  She looked at me for a moment and raised her eyebrows slightly.

“‘Has he?’ was all she asked.

“‘Yes:  he was feeling badly,’ I went on.  ’He asked me to walk home with you when you were ready to go.  I thought I would tell you now, so you would not be at a loss in case you should want to leave before the party breaks up.’