The poor lady rattled on while Loring turned his back and walked the length of the room to hide a smile which grew suddenly at his lips. When she had finished speaking, he returned and questioned again.
“Why did she change her mind? Do you know?”
“I don’t think she has changed her mind. I don’t believe that she has ever cared for Mr. Van Duyn. It was all a mask to hide her real feelings. I’m sure she still loves that worthless Gallatin!”
Loring’s eyebrows lifted, his gaze roved and his lips were quickly compressed. Then his brows tangled.
“What makes you think that?” he asked.
“Everything makes me think it—everything—from the manner in which she first confessed her love for him to me to the curious way she has been treating Mr. Van Duyn. He spoke about the matter only last week. Poor fellow! He’s beginning to look very badly. Jane hasn’t treated him fairly.”
“That depends. They were never engaged.”
Mrs. Loring raised herself on one elbow, her eyes searching her husband’s face in surprise.
“There was an understanding.”
“Between you and Van Duyn. Jane never consented.”