"Is she very pretty?"
"Extremely pretty."
"Ho! ho!" said Gebb, in a jocular tone; "in that case she must have lovers."
"She has two," answered Prain, dryly. "One is John Alder."
"What! the heir?"
"Yes! If she marries him she will still be mistress of Kirkstone Hall. But she won't," said Prain, rubbing his chin with a vexed air, "for the simple reason that she likes her other lover better."
"Who is the other lover?"
"An artist called Arthur Ferris. He is poor, but handsome."
"Good looks won't make the pot boil," said Gebb, sententiously. "Well, I'm not particularly anxious for further information about her love affairs. What I wish to know is, if Miss Wedderburn corresponded with Miss Gilmar."
"I can't tell you that: I don't know."