What more natural than that her old-time friend and almost-sweetheart, M.J.Arkwright, should be that good husband?
That really it was more Arkwright and less Alice that was being considered, however, was proved when the devotion of Calderwell began to be first suspected, then known for a fact.

Billy's distress at this turn of affairs indicated very plainly that it was not just a husband, but a certain one particular husband that she desired for Alice Greggory.

All the more disturbed was she, therefore, when to-day, seeing her three friends together again for the first time for some weeks, she discovered increased evidence that her worst fears were to be realized.

It was to be Alice and Calderwell, not Alice and Arkwright.

Arkwright was again to be disappointed in his dearest hopes.
Telling herself indignantly that it could not be, it _should_ not be, Billy determined to remain after the men had gone, and speak to Alice.
Just what she would say she did not know.