He was puzzled and very angry with Bertha Keys, more than angry with Mrs. Aylmer, and he had a sore sense of unrest and misery with regard to Florence.
"What can she want with Miss Keys? What can be the secret between them?" he said to himself over and over again. He was far from suspecting the truth.
Bertha returned from her drive in apparently excellent spirits. She entered the hall, to find Trevor standing there alone.
"Why are you back so early?" she said.
He did not speak at all for a moment; then he came closer to her. Before he could utter a word she sprang to a centre table, and took up a copy of the Argonaut.
"You are interested in Miss Aylmer. Have you read her story—the first story she has ever published?" she asked.
"No," he replied; "is it there?"
"It is. The reviews are praising it. She will do very well as a writer."
Kitty Sharston and her father appeared at that moment.
"Look, Miss Sharston," exclaimed Trevor; "you know Miss Aylmer. This is her story: have you read it?"