When she was sure that he was out of earshot she turned on Mr.Bagley indignantly.
"You see what you expose me to.

Jefferson thinks this was a rendezvous." "Well, it was to a certain extent," replied the secretary unabashed.

"Didn't you ask me to see you here ?" "Yes," said Kate, taking a letter from her bosom, "I wanted to ask you what this means ?" "My dear Miss Roberts--Kate--I"-- stammered the secretary.
"How dare you address me in this manner when you know I and Mr.
Ryder are engaged ?" No one knew better than Kate that this was not true, but she said it partly out of vanity, partly out of a desire to draw out this Englishman who made such bold love to her.
"Miss Roberts," replied Mr.Bagley loftily, "in that note I expressed my admiration--my love for you.

Your engagement to Mr.
Jefferson Ryder is, to say the least, a most uncertain fact." There was a tinge of sarcasm in his voice that did not escape Kate.
"You must not judge from appearances," she answered, trying to keep up the outward show of indignation which inwardly she did not feel.

"Jeff and I may hide a passion that burns like a volcano.
All lovers are not demonstrative, you know." The absurdity of this description as applied to her relations with Jefferson appealed to her as so comical that she burst into laughter in which the secretary joined.
"Then why did you remain here with me when the Senator went out with Mr.Ryder, senior ?" he demanded.
"To tell you that I cannot listen to your nonsense any longer," retorted the girl.
"What ?" he cried, incredulously.