Mrs. Clibborn smiled.
"I thought so," she said. "You can tell me, you know."
She was convinced that James adored her, but wanted to hear him say so. It is notorious that to a handsome woman even the admiration of a crossing-sweeper is welcome.
"Oh, it's no good any longer trying to conceal it from myself!" cried James, forgetting almost to whom he was speaking. "I'm sorry about Mary; no one knows how much. But I do love someone else, and I love her with all my heart and soul; and I shall never get over it now."
"I knew it," sighed Mrs. Clibborn, complacently, "I knew it!" Then looking coyly at him: "Tell me about her."
"I can't. I know my love is idiotic and impossible; but I can't help it. It's fate."
"You're in love with a married woman, James."
"How d'you know?"
"My poor boy, d'you think you can deceive me! And is it not the wife of an officer?"
"Yes."