"But did you consider this one with Miss Alden strong and binding—a true love affair—up to the time you met this Miss X?"
"Yes, sir, I did."
"And afterwards—then what?"
"Well—afterwards—it wasn't quite like that any more."
"You mean to say that on sight of Miss X, after encountering her once or twice, you ceased to care for Miss Alden entirely?"
"Well, no, sir. It wasn't quite like that," volunteered Clyde, swiftly and earnestly. "I did continue to care for her some—quite a lot, really. But before I knew it I had completely lost my head over—over Miss—Miss——"
"Yes, this Miss X. We know. You fell madly and unreasonably in love with her. Was that the way of it?"
"Yes, sir."
"And then?"
"Well—and then—I just couldn't care for Miss Alden so much any more." A thin film of moisture covered Clyde's forehead and cheeks as he spoke.