"I feel I knew Derek, and I'm certain, there's something on his mind,—some secret; but whatever it is, cart-horses would not drag it from him! He knows Aunt Julia, of course. If only she were at home, she would throw a search-light on the mystery. I never met such a woman for getting to the bottom of a business; but she won't be back till September! Tell me, Nancy, did Derek Mayne know any girls, when you met him?"
"Oh yes; he knew three or four planters' daughters."
"Did he flirt with them?"
"No, never, that I saw: he only cared for sport, and tennis."
"Well, I have reason to know that Derek likes me; we've been pals since we were children, and if only this little mystery was cleared up, I'd be perfectly happy! After all, there may be nothing in it,—what do you say?"
Nancy threw back her flowing hair, and looked up at Josie, who had risen, and was standing beside her,—one hand on her slim hip—the other fingering a cigarette. "I say ..." she paused ... and then, taking her courage in both hands, "I say, that from what I know of Captain Mayne,—I don't think he will ever marry!"
"What preposterous nonsense!" exclaimed her visitor. "I know it's not envy on your part, my child, for you don't like one another,—as anyone can see with half an eye. He will marry: in fact he must marry, and soon. His uncle is getting rampageous, and declares, that if Derek hangs back,—he will take a wife himself. Derek and I, will get on splendidly together," announced Josie, now walking about the room, "he is so steady, and I'm just exactly the opposite!—I won't be sorry to have a home of my own,—for I'm dead tired of my present existence; a sort of life, the American summed up as, 'One damned thing after another!'—Ah, here comes your maid with your frock; oh, my dear, what a dream!—so I'll clear out and leave you, to put on your rouge.—Joking apart, darling, you do look white; you've not been up to the mark just lately, I expect you want a tonic."
"Oh no," said Nancy, rising. "Of course going about from morning till night, and dancing from night till morning, is rather fagging, but I'm all right."
"Well, my sweet lamb, all I can say is, that you look all wrong; however, I suppose you know best. Mind you keep my little secret."
She halted on her way to the door, and looked back with eyes of expressive significance, then, satisfied with a nod, she swept out.