Mary Roberts Rinehart

“ Leslie said. “You see, he's in an unpleasant position, to say the least. But here's a thought to go to sleep on. If you ask me, he's keeping out of your way, not because he cares too little, but because he cares too much.”
Long after a repentant and chastened Leslie had gone to sleep, his arm over Nina's unconscious shoulder, Elizabeth stood wide-eyed on the tiny balcony outside her room. ”

“ One that concerns me?”
“Well, I have,” Leslie admitted. “I didn't pay much attention. Nobody is taking it very seriously.”
“That's not the point,” Dick persisted. “I don't mind idle gossip. I don't give a damn about it. It's the statement itself.”
“I should say that you are the only person who knows anything about it.”
Dick made a restless, impatient gesture.
“I want to know one thing more,” he said. “Nina told you, I suppose. Does—I suppose Elizabeth knows it, too?”
“I rather think she does.”
Dick turned abruptly and went out of the room, and a moment later Leslie heard the front door slam. ”

“ Before he sat down he lighted a cigarette and in the flare of the match Leslie got an impression of fatigue and of something new, of trouble. But his own anxieties obsessed him.
“She's told you about it, I suppose?”
“Yes.”
“I was a fool, of course. But it was only a matter of a few flowers and some afternoon calls. She's a fine woman, Livingstone, and she is lonely. The women have given her a pretty cold deal since the Clark story. They copy her clothes and her walk, but they don't ask her into their homes.” ”

“ Even for Nina that sounded odd. He took his coat and went out again to the car; after a moment's hesitation he went back and got the orchids.
Dick Livingstone's machine was at the curb before the Wheeler house, and in the living-room he found Walter Wheeler, pacing the floor. Mr. Wheeler glanced at him and looked away.
“Anybody sick?” Leslie asked, his feeling of apprehension growing.
“Nina is having hysterics upstairs,” Mr. Wheeler said, and continued his pacing.
“Nina! Hysterics?”
“That's what I said,” replied Mr. Wheeler, suddenly savage. “You've made a nice mess of things, haven't you?” ”

“ Well, be sure you put the right man into them!” He felt more or less a fool for having said that, for it was extremely likely that Nina's family was feeling some doubt about Nina's choice.
“What I mean is,” he added hastily, “don't be a fool and take Wallie Sayre. Take a man, while you're about it.”
“I would, if I could do the taking.”
“That's piffle, Elizabeth.” He sat down on the arm of a chair and looked at her. “Look here, what about this story the Rossiter girl and a few others are handing around about Dick Livingstone? You're not worrying about it, are you?” ”

“ I'll get on home.” He rose. “She'll be all right. Only I'd advise very tactful handling and—the fullest explanation you can make.”
“What is it? I'd be glad to have something to keep my mind occupied. It's eating itself up just now.” ”