"I am afraid it would take more than that, Nan. Mr. Farr is in love with Lillian, I think, and probably he meant nothing by his attentions to Jean."
"He may have been in love with Miss Stuart once, but he is not now," declared Nan in a tone of conviction.
"You are mistaken, Nan. I am sure you are."
"I think not," returned Nan stubbornly. "I have had my eyes wide open, and I believe I am right."
"Then why did he treat Jean so?" demanded Helen. "Toward the end of his stay here he hardly ever came to the manor, and he went away without even calling to say good-by. In fact I don't think Jean knew the Vortex was going."
But Nan's opinion was quite unshaken. She dropped her chin in her hand and stared thoughtfully into the fire.
"I will tell you something," she said impressively. "The afternoon before the Vortex left, I was on my way to the inn, when from a distance I saw Mr. Farr turn in at the manor gates. You remember that shortly after Bridget came over for me, and I was so cross at having to leave our game of tennis?"
Helen nodded, and Nan went on:
"Well, on my way over I saw Mr. Farr come out from the manor grounds. His cap was drawn down over his eyes, and so lost was he in his own thoughts that he passed me on the other side of the road, and did not even see me. There was something in his whole figure and bearing expressive of disappointment and unhappiness. Oh, you needn't look incredulous," turning her head to scan Helen's face. "A person's carriage is often most expressive."
"I wasn't looking incredulous, Nan, I was only wondering what point you were going to make out of all this."