Dora lowered her eyes quickly to hide the exultation that was surging through her. So already there had come between them a secret understanding of which his aunt was to know nothing, and surely it might be the beginning of an intimacy that could lead them anywhere!
Then in the ensuing week which followed was enacted as interesting a little comedy as would have delighted the most hardened playgoer.
First, there was the woman, Dora, who, with no pretence to herself that she had suddenly fallen head over heels in love with Richard, was yet by no means unstirred by his physical attractions. In other ways, too, she was intensely interested in him, regarding him as possessing practically all the qualifications she so desired in a husband. Added to that, as was only natural, she would have bee
