The remainder fell on closed ears. He was thinking of the night he stood watching Dolly's window in the moonlight. How true were the words just uttered! Had he not suspected Dolly, even when she had been most courageous and self-sacrificing? How well his sister understood him!
Just then the telephone bell rang. A maid-servant went to it and spoke in a low tone. Presently she came to the door and called her mistress. Mostyn sat limp, cold, undecided, miserable.
"She is right," he whispered, finding himself alone. "She is right. My God, she is right! I am a fool, and yet--and yet--what am I to do?"
Mrs. Moore came in at the door, a significant smile playing between her eyes and lips. He was too despondent to be curious as to its cause.
"Guess who had me on the 'phone?" she asked, sitting down in her chair.
"How could I know?" he answered, too gloomy to fight his gloom.
"Nobody but the most rational, well-rounded, stylish woman in Atlanta. It was my future sister-in-law, Irene Mitchell. She has had her little dream, too, and survived it. She thought she cared a lot for Andrew Buckton--or, rather, she liked to think that he was crazy about her, but he is penniless--has no more energy than a pet kitten, and, sensible girl that she is, she took her father's advice and sent him adrift. Everybody knows that affair is dead. He followed her away this summer, but came back with a long face, completely beaten. Dick, you are lucky."
"What was she telephoning you about?" Mostyn asked, listlessly.
"You."
"Me?"
"Yes; she asked for you."
"And you didn't call me?" He was studying the designing face apathetically.
"No, I fibbed out and out. I told her you were not here yet, but that I expected you to lunch every minute. Then, as sweetly as you please, I offered to deliver the message. It was as I thought, an invitation to dinner to-night. I knew you were in no shape to talk into a 'phone --the service is so bad lately--so I accepted for you, like the good sister I am."
He found himself unable to reply. Suddenly she rose, bent over him, and kissed him on the brow.
"Silly, silly boy!" she said, and left the room.