"I only asked," she faltered, "because--" "Well ?" Max said again.

"It would be interesting to know why you asked." She compelled herself to answer him, or perhaps it was he who compelled.
In any case, with her head bent, her answer came.
"I had been thinking that perhaps you were getting fond of her, and--and--I should be sorry if that happened, because I know she isn't in earnest.

I know she is only playing with you." The words ran cut in a whisper.

She dared not look at him.

She could only watch with fascinated eyes the brown fingers that gripped the door-knob.
"She has told you that ?" asked Max.
She quivered at the question.