She could hear the hum of voices across the hall.
After awhile the door of the parlor was flung violently open, and she heard Horace's rushing step upon the stair.

Then Rose came in, all pale and tearful.
"I have told him I couldn't marry him, Aunt Sylvia," she said.
Sylvia looked at her.

"Why not ?" she asked, harshly.
"I can't marry him and have you feel so dreadfully about it." "Who said I felt dreadfully about it ?" "Nobody said so; but you look so dreadfully." "I can't help my looks.

They have nothing whatever to do with your love-affairs." "You say that just to pacify me, I know," said Rose, pitifully.
"You don't know.

Do you mean to say that you have dismissed him ?" "Yes, and he is horribly angry with me," moaned Rose.
"I should think he would be.