"Now," he said softly, looking at her, and then they began. How kindly he moderated his pace to hers, how thrilling were the tender notes. It was a little bit of heaven, and then it was over!
What a storm of applause followed, but Jeanie fled and Frank Weston followed her after simply saying "Thank you" to his audience.
Jim was keeping the door as they passed in, and when Toney arrived Jim had seized the situation.
"I think, Miss Tonia," he said, touching his cap, "I think Miss Hamilton must be _his_ young lady."
"Yes, she is, but in ten minutes tell them to come to supper at the House. Mind, only ten minutes, Jim, for I'm just dying to congratulate them."
How did the secret come out? It was whispered, then murmured, then everybody seemed to say at once, "Isn't it romantic! The great Frank Weston is just engaged to Miss Hamilton. Didn't they look a perfect pair as they played. What a sensation it will make--an old romance. Quite charming"--and so on.
And among these buzzing remarks Toney flitted about at the stand-up supper, where everything was of the best, and where everybody seemed to enjoy themselves, but none so much as Toney herself. She had not dreamt of reward, but she certainly had it this evening. First came Maud with dewy eyes, she had not yet got over her fears.
"Oh, Toney, is it true? I have not seen her. It is all your doing. Tell me everything."
"Ouf!" said Toney, "I thought it was all white of egg at first, but--oh, Maud, it's just the most perfect romance there ever was, that is only second to my dear Chum, who is here, and I haven't had a moment to talk to her, but of course you'll both sleep here to-night and see him off to-morrow. Hasn't he a face of--iron, will sort of prop her up all her life. He hasn't a mean idea in his brain. I say, Maud, you'll be true to me and not let it out, won't you?"
At this moment Mrs. Hamilton and Miss Honoria came up looking much flustered.
"Antonia, there you are! My dear child, do you know anything about this--report? Where is Jeanie? Maud, do you know? Toney, what is happening?"
"They are in the waiting-room; looks true, doesn't it, Mrs. Hamilton? Jim is keeping guard so I expect he let it out. Jim's got a young woman himself, so he's rather cute over the subject."