As he spoke the last words he turned from her with a gesture of final dismissal. She tossed her head in a light laugh and calmly said:
"You're too late!"
He stopped in his tracks, his heart chilled by the queer note of triumph in her voice. Without turning or moving a muscle he asked:
"What do you mean?"
"Tom is already in love with Helen!"
He wheeled and hurled himself at her:
"What?"
"And she is desperately in love with him"—she stopped and deliberately laughed again in his face—"and I have known it for weeks!"
Another step brought his trembling figure towering over her:
"I don't believe you!" he hissed.