"Well, then," said Locker, "the proposal you heard me make has been declined. I am discarded; and not directly in a face-to-face interview, but through another by a message. It would have been inconvenient for Miss Asher personally to communicate the intelligence, so as Mrs. Easterfield was coming this way she kindly consented to convey the intelligence."
"I declare," exclaimed Miss Raleigh, "I had not heard of that! Mrs. Easterfield made me her confidant in the early stages of this affair, or I should say, these affairs. But she has not told me that."
"She will doubtless give herself that pleasure later," said Locker.
"No," said she, "she will not think any more about it. I am of no further use. And may I ask if you know anything about the two other gentlemen?"
"Both turned down," said Locker.
"I might have supposed that," answered the lady; "for if Miss Asher would not take you she certainly would not be content with either of them."
"With all my heart I thank you," said Locker warmly. "Such words are welcome to a wounded heart."
For a moment Miss Raleigh was silent, then she remarked, "It is very hard to be discarded."
"You are right there!" exclaimed Locker. "But how do you happen to know anything about it?"
"I have been discarded myself," she answered.