'It didn't take long for me to conceive a genuine liking for you, and, of course, I knew all the time that you had only done your duty.' Drake made no response whatever to Mr.Le Mesurier's sentiment.
'I understand, then,' he said, 'that Miss Le Mesurier was engaged to Gorley at the time of his death ?' 'Oh dear, no,' exclaimed the other, starting up from his chair.

'You are aware, I suppose, why Gorley left England ?' Drake nodded assent.
'The engagement was broken off then and there.

And Clarice at that time did not seem to take it much to heart.

I was inclined to believe that the whole affair had been just a girl's whim.

Indeed, in spite of her illness, I am not certain now that that isn't the truth.