“Engagement to who?”

“To—Lucy.”

“Lucy!”

“Lucy Ayres. She seems to be a very sweet girl. She is very pretty. I hope she will make him very happy.” Rose's voice trembled with sad hypocrisy.

“Who told you?” demanded Sylvia.

“She told me herself.”

“Did her mother hear it?”

“She did, but I think she did not understand. Lucy spoke in French. She talks French very well. She studied with Miss Farrel, you know. I think Lucy has done all in her power to fit herself to become a good wife for an educated man.”

“What did she tell you in French for? Why didn't she speak in English?”

“I don't know.”