“I certainly shall not go,” Esther said; “I don’t want to, for one thing, and, for another, it would not be fair–––”
“You mean to Mr. Harley?” June asked.
“Yes, and to–––”
“To the phantom lover! Oh, I see!” said June drily.
Esther coloured.
“I don’t know what you mean,” she said with a touch of dignity.
“Oh yes, you do,” June declared. “Don’t look so angry! What am I to call him, pray? You haven’t told me his name.” She waited, but Esther did not speak. “Of course, if you’d rather not,” she added, rather stiffly.
Esther got up and came over to sit on the arm of her chair.
“It isn’t that I don’t want you to know, but––well, I promised him not to tell any one; you see, his people would be furious if they knew. After all, I suppose I’m not anybody, and–––”
June pushed her away.