"Nothing of that is news to me. Did you think it was?"
And moving to the tea-table, she began to make provision for a fresh supply of tea.
Both words and manner astounded him. He, too, rose and followed her.
"How did you first guess?" he said, abruptly.
"Some gossip reached me." She looked up with a smile. "That's what generally happens, isn't it?"
"There are no secrets nowadays," he said, sorely. "And then, there was Miss Lawrence?"
"Yes, there was Miss Lawrence."
"Did you think badly of me?"
"Why should I? I understand Aileen is very pretty, and--"
"And will have a large fortune. You understand that?" he said, trying to carry it off lightly.