He was trying to speak indifferently, but it was not easy.
"I am sorry," she responded, eyeing him keenly; "I've heard her five times in the past two weeks, and yesterday learned she was from Rockhaven. Did you ever hear her before?"
Then Winn knew that his secret was a secret no longer.
"I have," he admitted modestly; "she is the niece of Jess Hutton."
"And it was to see her that you went to the island two weeks ago," pursued Ethel, smiling; "I thought as much then."
For a moment she tapped the carpet with one dainty slipper, while her lips were pressed tightly together, and then she continued:—
"I knew last summer," she said, in a cool and even voice, "that you had left your heart on the island when you came back. Permit me to congratulate you. The girl is a marvel."
"It is very kind of you to say so," he responded dejectedly, "but useless. I didn't find her when I went there, and it's all over between us, I presume."
Then Ethel laughed, but it was unnatural, and like the rattle of dry bones. "Not a bit of it," she said briskly; "women with such eyes as hers do not unlearn the lesson of love easily. You may have to beg forgiveness for your neglect on your knees, but you will receive it. It is such souls as hers that give the lie to all our worldly philosophy."
"Have you such a one?" he queried thoughtlessly.