‘Is this real, or—’
‘Or what? Say what was on your lips.’
‘Or are you utterly heartless?’ cried Kate, with an effort that covered her face with blushes.
‘I don’t think I am,’ said she oddly and calmly; ‘but all I have seen of life teaches me that every betrayal of a feeling or a sentiment is like what gamblers call showing your hand, and is sure to be taken advantage of by the other players. It’s an ugly illustration, dear Kate, but in the same round game we call life there is so much cheating that if you cannot afford to be pillaged, you must be prudent.’
‘I am glad to feel that I can believe you to be much better than you make yourself.’
‘Do so, and as long as you can.’
There was a pause of several moments after this, each apparently following out her own thoughts.
‘By the way,’ cried Nina suddenly, ‘did I tell you that Mary wished me joy this morning. She had overheard Mr. Gorman’s declaration, and believed he had asked me to be his wife.’
‘How absurd!’ said Kate, and there was anger as well as shame in her look as she said it.
‘Of course it was absurd. She evidently never suspected to whom she was speaking, and then—’ She stopped, for a quick glance at Kate’s face warned her of the peril she was grazing. ‘I told the girl she was a fool, and forbade her to speak of the matter to any one.’