Still," and here Dorothy looked quite wistful, "I wish I knew who did send them." Before Richard could take up the delicate question of the roses and their origin, there arrived the word of Senator Hanway that he be shown into the study.
"Now that I'm a working journalist, Miss Harley," said Richard, "I shall be obliged to see your uncle every day." "Oh, dear!" exclaimed Dorothy, with a fine sympathy; "how hard they drive you poor newspaper people!" "Still, we go not without our rewards," returned Richard.
Then observing that Senator Hanway's messenger--who had not those reasons for loitering which made slow the feet of Richard--was already halfway down the hall, Richard took Dorothy's small hand in his, and, before she knew her peril or might make an effort to avoid it, rapturously kissed the fingers, not once, not twice, but five times.

The very fingers themselves burned with the scandal of it! Following this deed of rapine, Richard went his vandal way; Dorothy's face turned a twin red with the roses.
Dorothy said nothing in rebuke of Richard, and it is to be assumed that, so flagrant an outrage left her without breath to voice her condemnation.

That she was disturbed to the heart is sure, for she went instantly to her friend, the sibyl of the golden locks, for conference, confidence, and consolation.
"Wasn't he wretchedly bold, Bess ?" said Dorothy in an awe-stricken whisper.
"Absolutely abandoned!" said Bess.
Then the two sat in silence for ten impressive seconds.
"Bess," remarked Dorothy tentatively, "suppose mamma were to forbid me loving one whom I loved----" Here she broke down, aghast.
"My dear Dorothy," cried the other, surprised into deepest concern, "your mother didn't see him kissing your fingers, did she ?" "Oh, no, Bess," said Dorothy hurriedly, "we were quite alone." "You foolish girl," returned Bess.

"You alarmed me!" "But really, Bess," persisted Dorothy, "to put it this way: if your mamma insisted, would you give way and marry a man you didn't love ?" "You mean Count Storri," replied Bess.

"Now, Dorothy, listen to me.