“Yes—­about the others.  But it is not the same with Shiela Cardross.  I—­it seems cruel to say it—­but it is for your sake—­to effectually forestall any possible accident—­that I am going to tell you that this very lovely girl, Shiela, is an adopted child, not a daughter.  That exceedingly horrid old gossip, Mrs. Van Dieman, told me that the girl was a foundling taken by Mr. and Mrs. Cardross from the Staten Island asylum.  And I’m afraid Mrs. Van Dieman knows what she’s talking about because she founded and still supports the asylum.”

Hamil looked gravely across at his aunt.  “The poor little girl,” he said slowly.  “Lord, but that’s tough! and tougher still to have Mrs. Van Dieman taking the trouble to spread the news.  Can’t you shut her up?”

“It is tough, Garret.  I suppose they all are dreadfully sensitive about it.  I begged Mrs. Van Dieman to keep her own counsel.  But she won’t.  And you know, dear, that it would make no difference to me in my relations with the girl—­except that”—­she hesitated, smiling—­“she is not good enough for you, Garry, and so, if you catch the prevailing contagion, and fall a victim, you have been inoculated now and will have the malady lightly.”

“My frivolous and fascinating aunt,” he said, “have you ever known me to catch any prevailing—­”

“O Garret!  You know you have!—­dozens of times—­”

“I’ve been civilly attentive to several girls—­”

“I wish to goodness you’d marry Virginia Suydam; but you won’t.”

“Virginia!” he repeated, astonished.

“Yes, I do; I wish you were safely and suitably married.  I’m worried, Garry; you are becoming too good-looking not to get into some horrid complication—­as poor Jim Wayward did; and now he’s done for, finished!  Oh, I wish I didn’t feel so responsible for you.  And I wish you weren’t going to the Cardrosses’ to live for months!”

He leaned forward, laughing, and took his aunt’s slim hands between his own sunburned fists.  “You cunning little thing,” he said, “if you talk that way I’ll marry you off to one of the faithful three; you and Virginia too.  Lord, do you think I’m down here to cut capers when I’ve enough hard work ahead to drive a dozen men crazy for a year?  As for your beautiful Miss Cardross—­why I saw a girl in a boat—­not long ago—­who really was a beauty.  I mean to find her, some day; and that is something for you to worry about!”

“Garry! Tell me!”

But he rose, still laughing, and saluted Miss Palliser’s hands.

“If you and Virginia have nothing better on I’ll dine with you at eight.  Yes?  No?”

“Of course.  Where are you going now?”

“To report to Mr. Cardross—­and brave beauty in its bower,” he added mischievously.  “I’ll doubtless be bowled over first shot and come around for a dinner and a blessing at eight this evening.”

“Don’t joke about it,” she said as they rose together and stood for a moment at the window looking down into the flowering gardens.