Nellie Pennington didn’t reply. She only looked down at her muddy boots with the cryptic smile that women wear when they wish to conceal either their ignorance or their wisdom.
“Did you know that Jane was dining here to-night?” she asked.
“Yes,” he replied. “Nina told me. I’m sorry.”
“It doesn’t matter in the least. The world is big enough for everybody. Jane evidently thinks so, too. Otherwise she wouldn’t be coming.”
“Does she know I’m here?”
“Oh, yes, she knows that Nina is, too.”
Gallatin looked out of the window.
“You don’t understand women, do you, Phil? Admit that and I’ll tell you why she’s coming.”
He smiled. “I do admit it. You’re all in league with the devil.”
“She’s coming here because she wants to show you how little she cares, because she has a morbid curiosity to see you and Nina together, and lastly,” at this she leaned toward him with her lips very close to his ear, “and lastly—because she loves you more madly than ever!”