"Yet we were wondering the other day how Rachel had escaped the infection so long."
"It isn't that. Rachel's lovely and she must have refused dozens of offers already, but—it's the man!"
Dr. Macclesfield cocked an erratic eyebrow. "Why the man? Belhaven's good looking, you know, and reasonably rich, and I rather thought you women liked him."
"Oh, did you?"
The old man laughed. "Out with it, Pamela; I'm safe as the confessional."
Pamela considered; of course the doctor was safe enough, but ought she to speak the truth? She edged around the idea, fascinated with it; she was possessed with a wild desire to talk it over; she was loyal enough to Rachel, but that very loyalty made her indignant; from her point of view the engagement was an injury to Rachel.
"I suppose you know what people say?" she ventured.
"Oh, that's sometimes wide of the mark!"
"Well, it's true, I think, don't you? At least he's in love with Eva."
"My dear Pamela, how do you know that?"