'Cousin. But Mr. Graham is a friend of mine as well, and you mustn't talk of him like that.'
'Ripping fine girl!' murmured Leonard irrelevantly. 'Wonder at his taste!'
He took a long stare at the abstracted Addie.
'What do you mean?' said Esther, her annoyance increasing.
Her old friend's tone jarred upon her.
'Well, I don't know what he could see in the girl he's engaged to.'
Esther's face became white. She looked anxiously towards the unconscious Addie.
'You are talking nonsense,' she said in a low, cautious tone. 'Mr. Graham is too fond of his liberty to engage himself to any girl.'
'Oho!' said Leonard, with a subdued whistle. 'I hope you're not sweet on him yourself.'