“I did not intend to marry him. I never intended to.”
“Yet you told me—”
“What did I tell you?”
“That you had promised.”
“With a proviso.”
“Yes, and it was that if neither saw any one more likable—ah, I see, you have found some one more likable, and so it does not trouble you. Ah, I see.” He dropped her hands. “But you said you were not going to be married, then perhaps it is not settled yet.”
“And you said you didn’t know whether you were to be or not. I—is it—is it—Alicia? I heard—”
“What did you hear?”
“That you were every day at her father’s house, and that every one supposed—”
“Persons suppose a great deal. I was there every day, because Colonel Southall is my very dear friend, and I went to take him news of my mother. Besides, I found that I could go every day without fearing in the least to meet Alicia. She is to marry some one else, and I am very glad, for he is a good fellow and will make her happy.”