But the doctor last night hoped it would be nothing
serious."
Ashe turned and went home. Then Kitty was not with Madeleine Alcot--not
on the coach! Where was she, and with whom?
He shut himself into his library and fell to wondering, in bewilderment,
what he had better do. A tide of rage and agony was mounting within him.
How to master it--and keep his brain clear!
He was sitting in front of his writing-table staring at the floor, his
hands hanging before him, when the door opened and shut. He turned.
There, with her back to the door, stood Kitty. Her aspect startled him
to his feet. She looked at him, trembling--her little face haggard and
white, with a touch of something in it which had blurred its youth.
"William!" She put both her hands to her breast, as though to support
herself. Then she flew forward. "William! I have done nothing
wrong--nothing--nothing! William--look at me!"
He sternly put out his hand, protecting himself.
"Where have you been?" he said, in a low voice--"and with whom?"
Kitty fell into a chair and burst into wild tears.
XIII
There was silence for a few moments except for Kitty's crying.
Pages:
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341