While I knew that they were engaged, having heard it from both of
them, I could not think that the course of their love affair was
running smoothly. I found myself drifting into idle speculation
as to whether this engagement was more desired by one than the
other, and if so, by which.

But though I could not quite understand these two, it gave me no
trouble to know which I admired more. At the moment, Miss Lloyd
seemed to me to represent all that was beautiful, noble and
charming in womanhood, while Gregory Hall gave me the impression
of a man crafty, selfish and undependable. However, I fully
realized that I was theorizing without sufficient data, and
determinedly I brought my attention back to the coroner's
catalogue of questions.

"Who else heard this conversation, besides yourself, Miss Lloyd?"

"Mrs. Pierce was at the table with us, and the butler was in the
room much of the time."

The purport of the coroner's question was obvious. Plainly he
meant that she might as well tell the truth in the matter, as her
testimony could easily be overthrown or corroborated.

Miss Lloyd deliberately looked at the two persons mentioned.
Mrs. Pierce was trembling as with nervous apprehension, but she
looked steadily at Miss Lloyd, with eyes full of loyalty and
devotion.