Mary sat between James Stockbridge and Tom, and they three spoke together so exclusively and so low, that the rest of us were quite forgotten.

Mary was smiling and laughing, first at one and then at the other, in her old way, and now and then as I glanced at her I could hardly help sighing.

But I soon remembered certain resolutions I had made, and tried not to notice the trio, but to make myself agreeable to the others.

Still my eyes wandered towards them again intuitively.

I thought Mary had never looked so beautiful before.