CHAPTER XXIII
For once Diana was silenced. It was absurd that she should attempt to justify herself to a woman of this character. Yet she did.
“Mr. Dempsi is—is a very dear friend. To compare your—oh, it’s horrible!”
She was sickened—the realisation of her own hypocrisy did not lessen the nausea. There was no comparison. Of the two men, Double Dan was the more appealing.
No index of her mind went unread by the shrewd watcher.
“I gotta stick by this anyhow. It’s no vacation for me,” said Heloise with a sigh.
The effect was magical—the frown vanished from Diana’s face and a soft light came to her eyes.
“I’m sorry for you sometimes,” she said.
Heloise raised her left shoulder.
“Why, I’m sorry most times. Gee! It’s a helluva life,” she said bitterly.