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416 Tom had gauged Mrs. Comstock rightly. Polly put her arms around Elnora. "Let me go with you, dear," she begged. "I promised I would speak with her alone," said Elnora, "and she has to be considered. But thank you, very much." "How I shall love you!" exulted Polly, giving Elnora a parting hug. The girl slowly and gravely walked back to the willow. She could not imagine just what was coming, but she was promising herself that she would be very patient and control her temper. "Will you be seated?" she asked politely. Edith Carr glanced at the bench, while a shudder shook her. "No. I prefer to stand," she said. "Did Mr. Ammon give you the ring you are wearing, and do you consider yourself engaged to him?" "By what right do you ask such personal questions as those?" inquired Elnora. "By the right of a betrothed wife. I have been promised to Philip Ammon ever since I wore short skirts. All our lives we have expected to marry. An agreement of years cannot be broken in one insane moment. Always he has loved me devotedly. Give me ten minutes with him and he will be mine for all time." "I seriously doubt that," said Elnora. "But I am perfectly willing that you should make the test. I will call him."