"I might ask—how do you know?"

"The girl—was a friend of mine...."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Don't mistake me. I—I didn't love her—not in that way, I mean. But, Tony—who told you?"

"Quentin."

"My God!"

"Why are you so surprised? It was right that he should tell me."

"Of course. But I—I didn't think he would."

Tony hesitated a moment—it struck Nigel that she was considering how far she ought to take him into her confidence. The thought humiliated him.