"But," she resumed, calmly exhaling, "you very foolishly fell in love with some one else, and it wasn't necessary for me to pretend that I was in love with you—which I should have done, believe me, if you had given me the chance. You fell in love, first with Hetty Castleton."
"First?" he cried, frowning.
"And now you are heels over head in love with my beautiful sister-in-law. Which all goes to prove that I would have made just the kind of wife you need, considering your tendency to fluctuate. But how dreadful it would have been for a sentimental, loving girl like Hetty!"
He sat bolt upright and stared hard at her.
"See here, Viv, what the dickens are you driving at? I'm not in love with Sara—not in the least,—and—" He checked himself sharply. "What an ass I am! You're guying me."
"In any event, I am right about Hetty," she said, leaning forward, her manner quite serious.
"If it will ease your mind," he said stiffly, "I plead guilty with all my heart."
She favoured him with a slight frown of annoyance.
"And you deny the fluctuating charge?"
"Most positively. I can afford to be honest with you, Viv. You are a corker. I love Hetty Castleton with all my soul."