Rochester listened quietly, but when she had finished, he said--
"Micky ought to have finished that skunk last night. If he cares for Miss Shepstone...."
"Oh but I don't think he does now," June struck in sadly. "He hasn't been near her since they came back from Paris, and every one says that Marie Deland----" she broke off.
"And when Miss Shepstone gets to hear what happened last night?" Rochester asked drily.
"Oh, but she won't--she doesn't know anybody who would tell her except you or me," June said positively. "And of course she must _never_ know. She never liked Micky, though _why_!..." She shrugged her shoulders. "Have you seen him to-day?" she asked.
"But you won't let him know what I've told you? promise me!"
"Is it likely that I should? Men don't gossip."
"Oh, don't they?" June answered tartly. "I wouldn't trust one of them, not even you," she added with a melting smile.
In spite of her promise to Esther, it was past tea-time when she got back home; she threw her hat and coat down anywhere and poked up the fire.
"Haven't you had tea? What have you been doing all day?" she demanded crisply. "You _haven't_ had tea!--Good gracious, I'll make some at once; I had some with George, but I'm quite ready for some more. My word! what a difference a man can make in one's life," she said, suddenly grave. "And to think that I ever talked piffle about not wanting to get married."
She bustled round the room singing blithely; she was brimful of happiness. "You needn't be surprised to hear that I'm going to be married quite soon," she said with elaborate carelessness. "Lord! won't people have forty fits? Except for Micky, my crowd don't know I'm engaged yet. I'm going to take George home to see them on Sunday. I've discovered that he's fourth cousin, about ninety times removed, to a baronet, so, perhaps, that will put them all in a good temper with him. My people do love titles! Give them a lord, or something, and it doesn't matter what else he is, or isn't.... You're not listening, Esther."
Esther was sitting by the fire with Charlie curled up in her lap; her face looked very sad and thoughtful. So she was to lose June quite soon!--her lips trembled; what was there left for her in all the world? It almost seemed as if time had stood still for a moment, and then suddenly rushed her back again with breathless speed, to leave her bereft of hope and happiness, as she had been before she met Micky.