‘From Mrs Lane? And from whom did she hear, pray?’
‘That I don’t know. Is it true or not?’
‘I have never told anyone that my engagement was at an end,’ replied Jasper, deliberately.
The girl met his eyes.
‘Then I was right,’ she said. ‘Of course I told Maud that it was impossible to believe this for a moment. But how has it come to be said?’
‘You might as well ask me how any lie gets into circulation among people of that sort. I have told you the truth, and there’s an end of it.’
Dora lingered for a while, but left the room without saying anything more.
She sat up late, mostly engaged in thinking, though at times an open book was in her hand. It was nearly half-past twelve when a very light rap at the door caused her to start. She called, and Jasper came in.
‘Why are you still up?’ he asked, avoiding her look as he moved forward and took a leaning attitude behind an easy-chair.
‘Oh, I don’t know. Do you want anything?’