Chapter 28

“Yes; because they were engaged before he saw the Burt girl. Then, you see, he didn’t think it honorable to refuse to marry her, and she——” “He had asked her, then, to give him back his freedom?” “Yes, he had. And Miss Van Norman very rightly refused to do so.” “Oh, Cicely,” cried Kitty, “do you _know_ this, or are you only surmising it?” “I know it, Miss French. In her sorrow over the matter, Miss Van Norman often confided in me as in a friend.” “And you were a good friend to her, I’m sure,” said Fessenden heartil…