Page:In The Cage (London, Duckworth, 1898).djvu/181

Rh he has brought me at last to the point. We're to be married next month and have a nice little home. But he's only a grocer, you know'—the girl met her friend's intent eyes—'so that I'm afraid that, with the set you've got into, you won't see your way to keep up our friendship.'

Mrs. Jordan for a moment made no answer to this; she only held the muff up to her face, after which she gave it back. 'You don't like it. I see, I see.'

To her guest's astonishment there were tears now in her eyes. 'I don't like what?' the girl asked.

'Why, my engagement. Only, with your great cleverness,' the poor lady quavered out, 'you put it in your own way. I mean that you'll cool off. You already have!' And on this, the next instant, her tears began to flow. She succumbed to them and collapsed; she sank down again, burying her face and trying to smother her sobs.

Her young friend stood there, still in some rigour, but taken much by surprise even if not yet fully moved to pity. 'I don't put anything