"Oh, no; no;" said Jane. "I never cared at all for Mr. de Vaux."
Harry's astonishment increased. He could scarcely believe that he had heard her correctly. To whom could she possibly be attached?
"Oh, I wish I had some one here to advise me! Adeline may say what she pleases, I cannot conceal it any longer."
Harry listened in amazement.
"Is it possible," he said, at length, "that there is some difficulty, some embarrassment, that prevents your acting as you would wish? My dear Jane, confide in me. You cannot doubt that I love you, that I have long loved you;" and Harry then ran over a variation of his first declaration. But Jane's trouble seemed only to increase.
"Oh, stop, Harry; don't talk in that way," she said; "I ought to have told you before. I wished to tell you when you first came on to New York, but Adeline said we should risk everything by it."
"What can you possibly risk? What is it you wish to tell me?"
"I was very sorry when you broke with Elinor—I never can have any other feeling for you than I have always had: I have been for some time, almost——-engaged—to—to—Mr. Taylor—"
"You——-engaged to Mr. Taylor!"
"No——-not engaged——-only I have not refused him—We know father and mother dislike Mr. Taylor's family so much—"