This was not fair; but it was near enough to the mark to make Haddington
a little uneasy. Had Kate been free, he would certainly have been in
doubt.

"I bear no malice about that," she continued, smiling, "only you mustn't
pretend to be broken-hearted, you know."

"It is a great blow to me--a great blow."

Claudia looked as if she would like to say "Fudge!" but restrained
herself and, with the daring characteristic of her, placed her hand on
his arm.

"I am so sorry, Mr. Haddington. How it must gall you to see their
happiness! I can understand you turning to me as if in self-protection.
But you should not ask a lady to marry you because you're piqued with
another lady. It isn't kind; it isn't, indeed."

Haddington was a little at loss.

"Indeed, you're wholly wrong. Lady Claudia. Indeed, if you come to that,
I don't see that they are particularly rapturous."

"You don't mean you think they're unhappy? Mr. Haddington, I am so
grieved!"

"Do you mean to say you don't agree with me?"

"You mustn't ask me. But, oh! I'm so sorry you think so too. Isn't it
strange? So suited to one another--she so beautiful, he so clever, and