Passing a few feet near them were John Thorpe and Mrs. Harris, who had appeared unnoticed from another part of the grounds.
John Thorpe plainly heard Rutley’s allusion to Corway and his wife, and became profoundly sensible of that same strange feeling infolding him, as he experienced when Virginia first intimated Corway’s questionable character. “Is it possible that, after all, Constance, and not Hazel, is the real object of his attention?”
He was conscious of a sense of jealousy arising within him, and so strong and virulent as to be beyond control, and compelled him to turn aside, to conceal the anger that must be depicted on his face. He halted while Mrs. Harris joined Virginia and Mr. Harris.
“Mrs. Thorpe is most attractive,” Hazel at length replied.
“I have heard that not long ago he was attached to Miss Thorpe, but lately has transferred his affection to another,” continued Rutley.
“Virginia was fond of his society, yet ’tis not always, you may remember, that those who have won our love return it.”
The strains of dreamy music drifted out upon the air.
“Well, at present, Corway seems persistent in his attentions to Mrs. Thorpe.”
Again John Thorpe winced at the connection of his wife’s name with Corway.
And then Rutley felt himself pushed aside, while Corway offered his arm to Hazel.